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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
The start completely baffled me by talking about magpies, ostriches and chameleons. Talking in half sentences, half riddles. I wasn't sure what I was reading or what was going on!
7 chapters in, and I'm still not sure we are talking in full sentences. There are random paragraphs here and there that are just lists of stuff. I have deciphered that the main character has terminal cancer that she's not told her family about.
I got to half way, and was only just learning how the main character got together with her husband... And correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the first time we've found out her name.
It took until half way through to get somewhat interesting, hence why it took me so long to get through it. The main characters health took a turn for the worst which brought her and her husband closer.. It also meant the doctors let slip about her diagnosis in front of him. Despite it getting interesting I felt we learned more about everyone else but not sure how the ward patients stories linked in with the main characters story line.
Overall, it took me an age to get into the story, I didnt feel the story had much of a plot throughout. But I guess the point was to share that when on a ward you get to know every little detail about everyone's lives, there's no hiding the truth.
7 chapters in, and I'm still not sure we are talking in full sentences. There are random paragraphs here and there that are just lists of stuff. I have deciphered that the main character has terminal cancer that she's not told her family about.
I got to half way, and was only just learning how the main character got together with her husband... And correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the first time we've found out her name.
It took until half way through to get somewhat interesting, hence why it took me so long to get through it. The main characters health took a turn for the worst which brought her and her husband closer.. It also meant the doctors let slip about her diagnosis in front of him. Despite it getting interesting I felt we learned more about everyone else but not sure how the ward patients stories linked in with the main characters story line.
Overall, it took me an age to get into the story, I didnt feel the story had much of a plot throughout. But I guess the point was to share that when on a ward you get to know every little detail about everyone's lives, there's no hiding the truth.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Darkly funny. Claustrophobic action on a dysfunctional hospital ward.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
This is a touching novel that takes a difficult subject, and manages to inject humour into it.
Sinead is in hospital, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. As happens when you find yourself in hospital, you find yourself on a ward with people that you might not gravitate towards outside. You get glimpses into their lives and loves, and their struggles. And their visitors which I always find hardest when I am in hospital.
This being Ireland some of the characters are hilarious. Margaret Rose the matriarch of her family, with her two daughters and erstwhile husband.
What the author does is set us up in a bed people watching (and listening) the carries on which can make it difficult, as it being Ireland there is a lot of talking.
This novel may not be for everyone as it is conversations, and eavesdropping on Margaret Rose’s telephone conversations, which can make it difficult to follow. But stick with it as there is a warmth to the novel that stays with you afterwards.
Sinead is in hospital, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. As happens when you find yourself in hospital, you find yourself on a ward with people that you might not gravitate towards outside. You get glimpses into their lives and loves, and their struggles. And their visitors which I always find hardest when I am in hospital.
This being Ireland some of the characters are hilarious. Margaret Rose the matriarch of her family, with her two daughters and erstwhile husband.
What the author does is set us up in a bed people watching (and listening) the carries on which can make it difficult, as it being Ireland there is a lot of talking.
This novel may not be for everyone as it is conversations, and eavesdropping on Margaret Rose’s telephone conversations, which can make it difficult to follow. But stick with it as there is a warmth to the novel that stays with you afterwards.
Following Sinéad who has just found out that she has terminal cancer. she is unwilling to tell her family about her diagnosis and she soon gets herself admitted to a hospital where she meets four other patients who all have tragic stories to tell. We get to know more about them at the same time explore the new reality that Sinéad has found herself in.
Whilst this book really explored and exposed the strength and tenacity of women and the power and strength they have. The main character wasn't really doing it for me. While I do believe that is the main angle of this book. I do not think Sinéad was a character that was meant to be loved by the readers, I think what she was meant to be was understood. I understood her and that made reading about her and the abusive relationship she had with her father, her cheating on her husband, and little mention of her children. It was strange but understandably so. On many occasions while I was reading, I couldn't help but think, she is doing this because she doesn't love herself.
If you are looking for a book that highlights the journey of strength, courage, and determination, then you can check this one out,
Whilst this book really explored and exposed the strength and tenacity of women and the power and strength they have. The main character wasn't really doing it for me. While I do believe that is the main angle of this book. I do not think Sinéad was a character that was meant to be loved by the readers, I think what she was meant to be was understood. I understood her and that made reading about her and the abusive relationship she had with her father, her cheating on her husband, and little mention of her children. It was strange but understandably so. On many occasions while I was reading, I couldn't help but think, she is doing this because she doesn't love herself.
If you are looking for a book that highlights the journey of strength, courage, and determination, then you can check this one out,
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I hesitate to say that I loved reading As You Were. The set up - Sinead, a 30 year old mother of three is in hospital and having to face up to the fact that she can no longer keep her terminal cancer diagnosis a secret - makes that inappropriate.
But I did love Sinead’s feisty character, flawed though she was. I loved the way Feeney showed the impact of her father’s bullying and the death of her stillborn daughter on Sinead. I also thought Feeney did a great job of capturing the experience of being in a hospital ward - the way the world shrinks to the confines of the ward, the lack of privacy, and the bonds that can spring up between wardmates who in the outside world would have nothing in common. I loved Sinead’s wardmates, especially Margaret Rose who didn’t let her own health battles keep her from dominating her family. I also loved the way Feeney shone light on Ireland’s current issues and the impact of its past - homophobia, religion, political corruption, abortion, the treatment of unmarried pregnant women, consumer and capitalist excesses and so much more. The writing was wonderful- the novel is a debut but Feeney has previously published several collections of poetry - and I was invested from beginning to end. Hoping to read more from this author in the future.
But I did love Sinead’s feisty character, flawed though she was. I loved the way Feeney showed the impact of her father’s bullying and the death of her stillborn daughter on Sinead. I also thought Feeney did a great job of capturing the experience of being in a hospital ward - the way the world shrinks to the confines of the ward, the lack of privacy, and the bonds that can spring up between wardmates who in the outside world would have nothing in common. I loved Sinead’s wardmates, especially Margaret Rose who didn’t let her own health battles keep her from dominating her family. I also loved the way Feeney shone light on Ireland’s current issues and the impact of its past - homophobia, religion, political corruption, abortion, the treatment of unmarried pregnant women, consumer and capitalist excesses and so much more. The writing was wonderful- the novel is a debut but Feeney has previously published several collections of poetry - and I was invested from beginning to end. Hoping to read more from this author in the future.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After many many attempts at finishing this book I gave up at 60%. Unfortunately I felt myself being forced to read it rather than enjoying it. It felt incredibly drawn out and unnecessary disjointed.