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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I rarely read fiction anymore but I did find this book enjoyable. I skipped back and forth between reading and listening to the audiobook and I have to say the narrator for the audio version was fantastic.
I just couldn't connect with the characters or plotlines enough unfortunately. I really wanted to love it!
All the stars. I loved every single second of this audiobook.14 hours that I truly savored and didn't want to end. I laughed and smiled and shook my head and cathartic cried. James McBride & Dominic Hoffman - this writing, this humanity, this story weaving and performance - thank you, this is a masterpiece.
I suggested this for my book club. None of us finished it by the time we met last week. This just didn't work for me - there were too many characters and I couldn't keep everyone straight, and it took me too long to get through it so I kept forgetting who people were or what their deal is. McBride is clearly a very good writer at a sentence level, so I would give his work another shot, but otherwise I'm thinking I just might be the wrong reader.
Though I wondered at points where exactly this story was going, I really enjoyed my first foray into James McBride. He is a great writer, he pens interesting and compelling characters, and his plot lines are unique and explicated in a fun and intriguing way. I think McBride shows the complexity of humanity well, giving his readers characters who are likable yet not perfect. He also brings his readers into a very specific, well detailed community, allowing us to understand this community’s dynamics, desires, and proclivities. The togetherness of this community is often touching, and I hope his next novel, too, shows aspects of relationships at such a high level.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes