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mscherer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
This started promisingly - a mother takes her two children on a road trip/holiday to Alaska, after breaking up with their useless father.
It was my first Eggers and sounded rather unusual. Josie seems on the verge of a breakdown, a dentist whose practice we learn has had problems. Her children are great little creations - a serious and mature little boy, his unbreakable havoc-wreaking sister his counterpart.
Josie and the children go from place to place, from one eccentric encounter to another in a battered old RV with its own problems. We get some insights into their family and Josie's life, and some lovely Alaskan views on the way.
My problem though was that I was looking forward to a conclusion. But no - it suddenly ends with the small family in a situation that is unresolved. I was angry, at the author, at Josie.
I realised I'd grown to hate her parenting, her selfishness - she seems to be using her children as an excuse and as accomplices. When her son asks why he's not in school anymore, and she keeps on trucking, I lost sympathy for her.
There are funny moments, but Josie as mother and protagonist lost me partway, and all the eccentricities in the world couldn't shake from me the feeling that I wanted it all to end and for the children to go back home and for their mother to sort herself out.
A frustrating read for me. Some high moments of comedy but ultimately a let down.
This started promisingly - a mother takes her two children on a road trip/holiday to Alaska, after breaking up with their useless father.
It was my first Eggers and sounded rather unusual. Josie seems on the verge of a breakdown, a dentist whose practice we learn has had problems. Her children are great little creations - a serious and mature little boy, his unbreakable havoc-wreaking sister his counterpart.
Josie and the children go from place to place, from one eccentric encounter to another in a battered old RV with its own problems. We get some insights into their family and Josie's life, and some lovely Alaskan views on the way.
My problem though was that I was looking forward to a conclusion. But no - it suddenly ends with the small family in a situation that is unresolved. I was angry, at the author, at Josie.
I realised I'd grown to hate her parenting, her selfishness - she seems to be using her children as an excuse and as accomplices. When her son asks why he's not in school anymore, and she keeps on trucking, I lost sympathy for her.
There are funny moments, but Josie as mother and protagonist lost me partway, and all the eccentricities in the world couldn't shake from me the feeling that I wanted it all to end and for the children to go back home and for their mother to sort herself out.
A frustrating read for me. Some high moments of comedy but ultimately a let down.
janewhitehurst's review against another edition
3.0
I love Dave Eggers as a writer, but I just didn't like the narrator of this book. Heroes of the Frontier is about a woman who takes her two children to Alaska to escape from complications in her life. She runs into all kinds of trouble there, but I just found her so unlikable. I finished the book, but didn't feel like it had a big pay-off.
mcearl12's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good listen...at times I was uncomfortable, on the edge of my seat...very engaging!
libwinnie's review against another edition
4.0
Fleeing life, Josie travels around Alaska in a beat-up RV with her two kids and makes an astounding number of bad decisions. Everything in her life has fallen apart and though she may not be the most sympathetic character, you can see how she lost her way. Well-written and very engaging.
shadowsmoon's review against another edition
4.0
I mark up passages and quotes that I love in my books and this one has a liberal scattering (more so than normal) of coloured tabs!! Beautifully written and executed in all its glory. The characters are real and raw. A little extreme at times and perhaps far-fetched but who am I to judge; alas I believed him at the time and willed them on in their journey!
cassandralovesfeta's review against another edition
4.0
Dave Eggers is a literary stud. He gets a lifetime pass, I’ll read every word he writes. This novel is on par and rewards his fans.
johnbradley2's review against another edition
4.0
Surprising depth in an otherwise ephemeral story. Might want to explore more Eggers after this one.
dodgson's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy his thoughtful descriptive style, but it's becoming clear that I get a little restless when Eggers's stream-of-consciousness narrative approach isn't attached to a more plot-driven story.
lauraxbakker's review
2.0
What can I say... I had quite high expectations because the periphrasis on the back of the book sounded very interesting. But our main character was very unlikeable and irresponsible which for me made it very hard to enjoy the story or feel understanding towards her.