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mmz's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
beemini's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes after reading several of her other books, but this is not my favorite Faye. The narrator’s voice and motivations never gelled for me. It’s one of those books that should really be two separate books; I always enjoy experimentation with genre, but it doesn’t always work. I’ll still read her in the future.
roscoehuxley's review against another edition
4.0
Alice is traveling from NYC to somewhere, and ends up in Portland. She’s also dying from a gunshot wound. Max is the Porter who takes care of her, and Alice ends up at the Paragon Hotel with a lively cast of characters. Friendships, mysteries and secrets ensue.
Historical fiction at its best, and this one calls out the horrifically racist beginnings of Oregon’s early days - African Americans were not allowed in the state, and the KKK was alive and well. Alice - and this book - are here to point out deeply held racist beliefs.
Loved the characters, the plot was compelling. Could’ve been a bit shorter.
Historical fiction at its best, and this one calls out the horrifically racist beginnings of Oregon’s early days - African Americans were not allowed in the state, and the KKK was alive and well. Alice - and this book - are here to point out deeply held racist beliefs.
Loved the characters, the plot was compelling. Could’ve been a bit shorter.
arinnroberson's review against another edition
4.0
This is between a three and four for me. Lots going on and deals with really serious issues that are often overlooked with respect to the history of Oregon and Portland in particular. And I thought Faye touched on this issues with grace. However the plot was overall a bit drawn out and for a story about a gun moll and a mossing child not very action packed. The characters were interesting and the overall story about everything going on was interesting. I enjoyed the interweaving of the past with the future. And for all this the book didn’t super click with me.
kimmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This story flips back and forth between Harlem where our main character flees and the Paragon hotel in Oregon where she ends up, both during prohibition time. The New York story was a little less interesting and a little harder to follow, but the cast of characters at the Paragon totally make up for that. January Lavoy did an absolutely incredible job of pulling off a large number of both men and women in distinct believable voices as well! I definitely recommend the audiobook.
pinecone_mushroom's review against another edition
I'm interested in reading about what it was like to be a black person in Portland in that era, written by a black author; this isn't that book. That really big matter aside: there were some details I liked, but often I felt the author's research was showing. The arch dialogue isn't my cup of tea. I'm sure it's a fine book for some people, but I couldn't get into it.
hstorkel's review against another edition
5.0
Characters are interesting. Plot goes a little awry at times but the characters make up for it. Historical fiction set in the 1920’s and the author does a great job of capturing the time. I especially appreciated the dialogue, which did a great job capturing the dialect of the time period.
jxg255's review against another edition
2.0
Really tough read for me. Didn’t find now and then stories interesting enough.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
5.0
Simply smashing, this is a perfectly executed historical mystery if I’ve ever seen one. I loved every aspect of this, which is unsurprising since I love the author. Alice/Nobody’s voice was gorgeously distinctive, and the storytelling was superior. Even minor characters jumped off the page and made their presence known, such was the caliber of character development. And I haven’t even mentioned the historical research evident here! Faye masterfully highlights a really difficult time in our nation’s history, and tackles some really heavy social issues while still making the story entertaining. I loved the switching of “Now” and “Then” and the difference in New York and Portland’s perception of the same issues. Each chapter was graced with (sometimes very disturbing) excerpts from Faye’s research, and it perfectly sets up the main issues in each section. I can’t recommend this enough, it’s a beautiful example of historical fiction that will make you think.