Scan barcode
fatfrog's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Pandemic/Epidemic
phoevincent's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
melissa_b_67's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
August Blue was a quick read for me. I listened to it on audio and enjoyed the narrator.
In this beautifully written novel we are dropped into Elsa's life, a former piano prodigy who was adopted and raised by her piano teacher at a young age. We meet Elsa when her career has taken a turn for the worse and the Covid pandemic is in full swing.
At its heart, this is a story about discovering and embracing one's identity. The entire story felt almost dreamlike to me. I was often lost, in a good way, in the author's beautifully written prose and the narrator's soothing voice.
I am still not quite certain why the author decided to include the Covid pandemic as an element of the story. It gave us a time stamp, but in my opinion did not elevate the narrative. Part of that might be my own resistance to reading stories that take place within the pandemic. For me, not enough time has passed, so that I can enjoy a story set in pandemic times. More distance from this time period may have resulted in a different feelings for me.
Overall, l did enjoy this short novel. The last sentence brought it all together for me and made me feel August Blue was worth my time.
In this beautifully written novel we are dropped into Elsa's life, a former piano prodigy who was adopted and raised by her piano teacher at a young age. We meet Elsa when her career has taken a turn for the worse and the Covid pandemic is in full swing.
At its heart, this is a story about discovering and embracing one's identity. The entire story felt almost dreamlike to me. I was often lost, in a good way, in the author's beautifully written prose and the narrator's soothing voice.
I am still not quite certain why the author decided to include the Covid pandemic as an element of the story. It gave us a time stamp, but in my opinion did not elevate the narrative. Part of that might be my own resistance to reading stories that take place within the pandemic. For me, not enough time has passed, so that I can enjoy a story set in pandemic times. More distance from this time period may have resulted in a different feelings for me.
Overall, l did enjoy this short novel. The last sentence brought it all together for me and made me feel August Blue was worth my time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Death, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Vomit
Moderate: Bullying and Medical content
ophelia's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
savvylit's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
August Blue is a melancholy, reflective book about a woman experiencing self-discovery. Prior to her public error, Elsa's life had been ruled by the rigidity of practice and performance. The shame-induced break she takes allows her to gradually slow down and know herself. It all begins with seeing another woman buy two toy horses in Athens.
Overall, August Blue is a captivating meditative book that focuses on identity, parenthood, performance, and grief. If you enjoy "thinky" books with just a little plot, then August Blue is for you.
Thank you @netgalley and @fsgbooks for the advanced reader copy of August Blue in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall, August Blue is a captivating meditative book that focuses on identity, parenthood, performance, and grief. If you enjoy "thinky" books with just a little plot, then August Blue is for you.
Thank you @netgalley and @fsgbooks for the advanced reader copy of August Blue in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
More...