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timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
3.0
Distinctive and accomplished writing style, but not a lot new on family dynamics.
lmp2020's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I barely made it through. It could not hold my interest.
patmcmanamon's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent book about family and the strains and stresses we put on it. Brilliantly written, this book touches on so many issues. Compassion. Understanding. Family. The sacrifices made by women, especially mothers. Aging. It also provides a stark and real portrait of the dysfunction family, and the challenges contained therein. It's not exactly uplifting, but its writing is excellent and its story is compelling. An honest, real page-turner that had me wishing every time I put it down that I could pick it up again right away and see what was next.
sarahch's review
3.0
To me, books centered on family dynamics can be just as enticing as they can be frightful. And so it was with The Green Road. A nightmarishly vivid story of "wasted" family bonds and potential. When things simply never manage to click into place to settle the meaning of it all - what is given, what is owed, what is left. The familiarity of a generally pleasant childhood and family life turns bitterly painful when the unspoken contracts between mother and children, and between the children with one another, inevitably arise.
I admire how Anne Enright solidly weaves the atmosphere of the Madigan family dynamic through its members' individual stories. I always marvel at the magic of really good storytelling; when seemingly very suddenly you arrive on a page, and without ever being explicitly told, you understand the state of things.
This one was my first time reading Anne Enright. And although it was a beautiful beautiful book, as is often for me the case with multiple character perspectives, I tend to ultimately be disappointed with how much time is alloted to my favourite characters. I would have read a whole book about Dan, and the constant perspective switches slowed the pace of the book and made it very easy for me to put it down. I did push through eventually!
I admire how Anne Enright solidly weaves the atmosphere of the Madigan family dynamic through its members' individual stories. I always marvel at the magic of really good storytelling; when seemingly very suddenly you arrive on a page, and without ever being explicitly told, you understand the state of things.
This one was my first time reading Anne Enright. And although it was a beautiful beautiful book, as is often for me the case with multiple character perspectives, I tend to ultimately be disappointed with how much time is alloted to my favourite characters. I would have read a whole book about Dan, and the constant perspective switches slowed the pace of the book and made it very easy for me to put it down. I did push through eventually!
sigridjacobs's review
3.0
I liked the concept of this book, the family dynamics, the fact that each chapter is told by a different member of the family. Also I thought the language was beautiful. However, the ending ruined it for me. The pacing was really off, and the story didn't make sense. With a better ending, I would have given this book 4, maybe even 5 stars.
krobart's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
I always feel that Enright’s characters are absolutely believable and her families fraught with realistic complications. Her descriptions, too, of the Western Ireland scenery are gorgeous. For my complete review, see this link: https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2024/04/30/review-2428-the-green-road/
ali_w15's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the individual characters in this book and appreciated the setting in terms of both time and place but I just didn't really gel with this book. I felt that there were too many hidden meanings within the book that were too obscure. I didn't really get the overall message or meaning of the story so felt that the book came to a rather disappointing end.
jlllzz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.25
danok98's review against another edition
3.75
Narcissist and bipolar rural mother fucks up her children emotionally. Classic Irish tale