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stitchysnail's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annikahelena's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
tien's review against another edition
3.0
"So despite the fact that I know you think I'm wet and useless and defeatist, I'm actually just trying to elude being stamped on by everyone else, flattened, obliterated. It may sound pathetic to you, but I just want people to be kind. Kind to me, and to each other. That's all."
Monica and Gus chose to live in Spain; away from their children who live in England. Or rather, Monica followed Gus in realising his dreams of a vineyard. As a family, they are rather more estranged than familiar with huge big gaps between each member. When Gus suffered a stroke, however, things began to boil over until one and then two and then the rest begins to open up and one talks to the other.
This isn't a book that I'd pick up on my own; not by its description anyway. I'm too wary of family stories as I've had enough of mine own. However, I kind of liked the cover so thought I'd give it a go. It was a matter of discipline of reading 2 chapters per day. That made it sound rather terrible, isn't it? But, it was a pretty sad & heartbreaking story. At least, to begin with, it was, but thankfully the ending wasn't too bad. Although, I did wonder how realistic it was... Probably only a small percentage of family will survive for the better or am I being a cynic?
Overall, Mum & Dad is a wonderful book in showing just how gaps and misunderstandings can be bridged by being open, talking honestly and willingness to forgive. I enjoyed Trollope's prose and her descriptions of Spain had me enthralled to the end.
Thanks to Pan MacMillan Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review
Monica and Gus chose to live in Spain; away from their children who live in England. Or rather, Monica followed Gus in realising his dreams of a vineyard. As a family, they are rather more estranged than familiar with huge big gaps between each member. When Gus suffered a stroke, however, things began to boil over until one and then two and then the rest begins to open up and one talks to the other.
This isn't a book that I'd pick up on my own; not by its description anyway. I'm too wary of family stories as I've had enough of mine own. However, I kind of liked the cover so thought I'd give it a go. It was a matter of discipline of reading 2 chapters per day. That made it sound rather terrible, isn't it? But, it was a pretty sad & heartbreaking story. At least, to begin with, it was, but thankfully the ending wasn't too bad. Although, I did wonder how realistic it was... Probably only a small percentage of family will survive for the better or am I being a cynic?
Overall, Mum & Dad is a wonderful book in showing just how gaps and misunderstandings can be bridged by being open, talking honestly and willingness to forgive. I enjoyed Trollope's prose and her descriptions of Spain had me enthralled to the end.
Thanks to Pan MacMillan Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review
kateemily's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
izzie_peall's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.5
minaalreads's review against another edition
4.0
Mum and Dad follows the life of Monica, her husband Gus and their 3 adult children. After Gus has a stroke, everyone's lives are impacted.
What I loved about this book is how relatable it is. Within 10 minutes of reading it, I had to call my mum because my grandad had a stroke about 6 or 7 years ago, he has 3 children and there are 6 grandkids. Whaaaat? Is this book about my family? #anythingcanhappen
Family relationships are tricky. We've all been there or know people who have. As well as love and loyalty, it's natural for individuals to feel jealousy and resentment. They're ugly feelings but they're real. And that's what this book is. There are moments of love. There are moments of familial bonds and shared history. And there are also moments of old hurt and misunderstandings that were never dealt with. But above all, they are a family. And families stick together.
I gave this book 4 ⭐ because Trollope developed her characters very well. I felt that I understood each family member and their actions and choices so well. She also gave some of them little quirks which made them come to life and enjoyable to read about. This is a wonderful, familiar and cosy read that anyone can enjoy.
What I loved about this book is how relatable it is. Within 10 minutes of reading it, I had to call my mum because my grandad had a stroke about 6 or 7 years ago, he has 3 children and there are 6 grandkids. Whaaaat? Is this book about my family? #anythingcanhappen
Family relationships are tricky. We've all been there or know people who have. As well as love and loyalty, it's natural for individuals to feel jealousy and resentment. They're ugly feelings but they're real. And that's what this book is. There are moments of love. There are moments of familial bonds and shared history. And there are also moments of old hurt and misunderstandings that were never dealt with. But above all, they are a family. And families stick together.
I gave this book 4 ⭐ because Trollope developed her characters very well. I felt that I understood each family member and their actions and choices so well. She also gave some of them little quirks which made them come to life and enjoyable to read about. This is a wonderful, familiar and cosy read that anyone can enjoy.
gintonic's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this as a book club pick, trying to branch out of my reading comfort zone as I am new to this author and am not much into family dramas. I found the characters to be unlikable and somewhat interchangeable as a few were hard to distinguish from each other. The plot was entirely predictable, and I was let down by this read and am not likely to pick another of her books. The big turn off for me was what I also assume was a typo in my edition where the daughter Marta was at one point referred to as Martha which for me was straight out of 'The Office' ala 'Dwigt'.
annarella's review against another edition
3.0
I think it's quite well written and the characters are fleshed out but the story didn't keep my attention and fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
fien's review against another edition
4.0
Een mooi verhaal waarin verschillende familierelaties uitgebreid aan bod komen. Doorheen het verhaal dacht ik: "Shiiit, blij dat ik beter overeen kom met mijn familie", maar het is mooi hoe Joanna Trollope je toelaat om deze relaties beetje bij beetje te analyseren. En het is mooi om te lezen hoe ze beetje bij beetje beter worden. Insert cliché caption: het is jammer dat de vader eerst een hartaanval moet krijgen, vooraleer ze elkaar echt gaan appreciëren. Het personage van de vader maakt ook niet echt een evolutie door, op het einde zegt hij iets vriendelijks en daarmee is de kous precies af. De grote oplossing op het einde was ook een klein beetje ongeloofwaardig, alles was ineens heel snel opgelost, maar al bij al een mooi verhaal!
txreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5