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kate56's review against another edition
3.0
Beginning and ending with a focus on a child frames the effect our actions have on the lives of others. Enright isn't judging but depicts evolving relationships (parental, lovers, spouses) through one woman's -Gina- narration. Normal struggles ensue. It's not my favourite Enright book but still a thoughtful well written read.
chrisla's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kbholzman's review against another edition
3.0
The only interesting observation that I have made while reading this book is that the worst of our yuppie values (rampant consumerism and self absorption that overrides any persective) are now universal. This Irish novel reminds me of a whole genre from the 80s of bored housewise having affairs in impressive suburban homes. The most interesting aspect of the story was the impact of a child's disability on the relationship of her parents.
irishlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Not nearly as interesting as Enright's "The Gathering," but beautifully written nonetheless. The story was simply not as intriguing, or perhaps it was the unlikable narrator that really made it less enjoyable to me. Still, few writers are as talented with words as Anne Enright.
nichole_m_fisher's review against another edition
3.0
It was well written which I appreciated, I just could not get into the story.
jen286's review against another edition
1.0
I read the first chapeter of this book and thought oh this will be very interesting. But then I read chapter two, and three, and...it was just....not good. I didn't finish the book as I just couldn't....there are very few books that I do not finish even if they are not very good. This one was just whiny looking back on what has happened and it just got on my nerves so much that I could not read it to the end.
lokroma's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written coming of age story about Evie, who despite the lack of agency that all children have in the family narrative set mostly by their parents, seems to come out ok and ready to move into adulthood.
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
5.0
It's a testament to Enright's writing that this book is so good, despite a main character who's not very likeable and who we don't get to know all that well, despite the story being told from her perspective. I don't think we get the true sense of what Gina and Sean are like, and what we do know doesn't engender sympathy. Gina seems overly critical and negative about most everyone in her life. The writing though is remarkable: poetic and memorable.
megwootang's review against another edition
1.0
not as good as what I thought it would be. Sort of whiney...