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lola425's review against another edition
4.0
You know right from the beginning that one of the protagonists is dead, so you know that this is going to be a story of how he got that way. As a result, you will find yourself wondering as each new character is introduced is this will be the impetus for the death, so everyone and their every action becomes a red herring. It helps that the three main characters and their relationships are so interesting. The death at the end becomes almost beside the point, because it wasn't that kind of story. So was it a murder mystery with no mystery or a book about relationships that happens to end with a death? Not sure it matters.
joannefl97's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
katylang's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Couldn't put it down. There are strong, powerful connections between the ah-ha moments of the protagonist and what she learns about herself, and the messages that the author tells in the story -- it's hard to describe but reading this book, it felt like the real thing vs. how other books seem to make up those connections. And the end -- shattered.
snowmaiden's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book very much. Augusta, the main character, is simultaneously experiencing the start of a new friendship with a neighbor, the rocky middle of her marriage with her husband, and the wistful ending of her relationship with her father, who has Alzheimer's. Black depicts the joys and pains of each of these relationship stages masterfully. Since Augusta is a painter and her husband Owen is a writer, there is also much in here about the creative process-- how good it feels when it flows and how bad it feels when it's stopped up. Although the ending of this book was quite abrupt and surprising, it wasn't handled nearly as melodramatically as it could have been, so I've decided to be ok with it. I'm eager to read another book by this talented new writer.
demottar's review against another edition
5.0
I so love close, domestic fiction. The various ways that families and marriages operate will forever be fascinating to me. Life Drawing by Robin Black is a tense portrait of the small and large betrayals within this one marriage and the tragedy they lead to. At the same time, it's also a portrayal of the artistic life, the secluded life, and the grieving life.
This was my second read and, not surprisingly, different themes stood out to me this time around. I was particularly devastated by Gus's family history (a deceased mother and sister, a father suffering from Alzheimer's, an aloof sister) and how those personal tragedies fueled her actions and reactions within her marriage and with her neighbors. I was also blown away (again) by how delicate and fragile the relationships in this book are, and how such small, seemingly innocuous actions can lead to disaster and hurt.
On top of all that, the writing is just so excellent! Exact, close first person narration with beautiful syntax, realistic dialogue, and vivid descriptions of Pennsylvania that make me so happy to live and be from our lovely state. I would never say this is a "feel good" novel, but I always feel good after reading such wonderful writing.
This was my second read and, not surprisingly, different themes stood out to me this time around. I was particularly devastated by Gus's family history (a deceased mother and sister, a father suffering from Alzheimer's, an aloof sister) and how those personal tragedies fueled her actions and reactions within her marriage and with her neighbors. I was also blown away (again) by how delicate and fragile the relationships in this book are, and how such small, seemingly innocuous actions can lead to disaster and hurt.
On top of all that, the writing is just so excellent! Exact, close first person narration with beautiful syntax, realistic dialogue, and vivid descriptions of Pennsylvania that make me so happy to live and be from our lovely state. I would never say this is a "feel good" novel, but I always feel good after reading such wonderful writing.
misslezlee's review against another edition
2.0
First world problems. I should have taken it back to the library like I said I was going to. It didn't end like I thought it would.
cmdc325's review against another edition
3.0
*GoodReads Giveaway Book*
This book was different for me. I don't usually read adult fiction and when I do it is about adults in their early 20's to early thirties. In this book not a lot happened. But it still was good because the character development was on point. I enjoyed reading about a relationship that was not perfect and having the character immediately forgive each other. I have to say the ending was a bit shocking, even though it says what happened to Owen in the first paragraph. But it also represented that forgiveness is earned and sometimes it is just too late for that. I would recommend this for anyone who would like a different look on relationships.
This book was different for me. I don't usually read adult fiction and when I do it is about adults in their early 20's to early thirties. In this book not a lot happened. But it still was good because the character development was on point. I enjoyed reading about a relationship that was not perfect and having the character immediately forgive each other. I have to say the ending was a bit shocking, even though it says what happened to Owen in the first paragraph. But it also represented that forgiveness is earned and sometimes it is just too late for that. I would recommend this for anyone who would like a different look on relationships.
riotsqrrrl's review against another edition
5.0
Wowowow! This book really drew me into the characters and their struggles. So much heart that is really believable. Even when I thought the story was predictable it wasn’t and the twists and turns are poetic. I’m left with a heavy heart as I’ve finished the book but it’s worth it.
wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
I read the whole of this book thinking I had read it before but I hadn't. Probably not a good choice of subject matter for me as it is about the corrosive effects of betrayal on a marriage. Nonetheless great unflinching writing about both isolation and intimacy. Love the writing style which I also enjoyed in the short story collection "If I loved you I would Tell You This"
kayto_couchpotato's review against another edition
2.0
Wonderfully written terrible story is the best way I can describe this.