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jacobcracknell's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
guscanread's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Zambra writes a slow-burn novel subtly showing humorous jokes through painful memories. A literature professor with a free-flowing mind for story-telling. I need a bonsai tree.
sknight's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
placeholder13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kate66's review against another edition
4.0
I'll say first that this very short novella/ novel? makes me want to read more by this writer.
He certainly uses words sparingly but the whole is nevertheless interesting. The story, such as it is, starts with Julien waiting for his wife, Veronica to come home. As he waits he writes (or imagines the story) and when she returns the story will end. He tells a story that evolves into different stories - telling his stepdaughter bedtime stories about trees, imagining her adult life, imagining what will happen if Veronica never comes home.
I found myself (oddly as Daniela does) not wanting to rush through this book so I stopped every few pages to move around the room, do some housework, make a coffee. I'm not entirely sure why bit it seemed obvious that I shouldn't read this work as a story bit rather as a series of observations and imaginings. I'm sure I'm not explaining myself very well however it is a delight to read and I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy Auster (don't listen to Julien who doesn't read Auster) as it certainly has echoes of that style.
I'd definitely read more by Alejandro Zambra. His work intrigues me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
He certainly uses words sparingly but the whole is nevertheless interesting. The story, such as it is, starts with Julien waiting for his wife, Veronica to come home. As he waits he writes (or imagines the story) and when she returns the story will end. He tells a story that evolves into different stories - telling his stepdaughter bedtime stories about trees, imagining her adult life, imagining what will happen if Veronica never comes home.
I found myself (oddly as Daniela does) not wanting to rush through this book so I stopped every few pages to move around the room, do some housework, make a coffee. I'm not entirely sure why bit it seemed obvious that I shouldn't read this work as a story bit rather as a series of observations and imaginings. I'm sure I'm not explaining myself very well however it is a delight to read and I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy Auster (don't listen to Julien who doesn't read Auster) as it certainly has echoes of that style.
I'd definitely read more by Alejandro Zambra. His work intrigues me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
bobthebookerer's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book's predecessor, Bonsai, for the way it told a story within a story, and navigated a truly singular narrative style that was at turns confusing and crystal clear.
I will confess, however, that this book, a meta-commentary of Bonsai, was perhaps one extra layer too far for me, and I was occasionally a little confused by it. There were still many moments of interest, but I could not always connect the dots back to where it was going.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I will confess, however, that this book, a meta-commentary of Bonsai, was perhaps one extra layer too far for me, and I was occasionally a little confused by it. There were still many moments of interest, but I could not always connect the dots back to where it was going.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
laura2k07's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25