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jesslolsen's review against another edition
I have this book 100 pages and if I didn’t have such a large TBR pile (from the library with due back dates) I might have persevered with it, but in the end I found the jar concept a bit confusing and the dialogue a bit too repetitive for me to push on at this time. I wouldn’t rule out trying again another time
terri's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aheit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
quossie's review against another edition
3.0
One of those near-misses for me; file solidly under I-really-wanted-to-like-it-more.
On reflection, I think it was the oldest Willa that really bogged this down for me. I understand the reasons why she was written as she was, but I feel there was some nuance missing there. Instead of a woman struggling with memory and history and the unknown, we got what felt like the retiree version of manic pixie dream girl. A little too much whimsy, and not quite enough depth. The contrast between tone in early- and middle-Willa to elderly Willa was a little too jarring, and left the book as a whole feeling slightly inconsistent.
For a book whose blurb contains "On one impossible day in 1965, eight-year-old Willa receives a mysterious box containing a jar of water and the instruction: ‘One ocean: plant in the backyard", the surreal parts of this book seem almost an afterthought, as if the author was embarrassed to have based a book's plot solidly around a fantasy element.
It would be an interesting book club read as it would definitely generate discussion, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to recommend it to many individual readers. Solid three stars; good, but not great. I'll be interested to see what the author does in the future.
On reflection, I think it was the oldest Willa that really bogged this down for me. I understand the reasons why she was written as she was, but I feel there was some nuance missing there. Instead of a woman struggling with memory and history and the unknown, we got what felt like the retiree version of manic pixie dream girl. A little too much whimsy, and not quite enough depth. The contrast between tone in early- and middle-Willa to elderly Willa was a little too jarring, and left the book as a whole feeling slightly inconsistent.
For a book whose blurb contains "On one impossible day in 1965, eight-year-old Willa receives a mysterious box containing a jar of water and the instruction: ‘One ocean: plant in the backyard", the surreal parts of this book seem almost an afterthought, as if the author was embarrassed to have based a book's plot solidly around a fantasy element.
It would be an interesting book club read as it would definitely generate discussion, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to recommend it to many individual readers. Solid three stars; good, but not great. I'll be interested to see what the author does in the future.
zanybibliophile's review
4.0
The three Willas and their magical ocean will take you on an unforgettable journey.
You can read my full review here.
Although I struggled with some of the book's themes, objectively speaking this is a beautifully written book.
You can read my full review here.
Although I struggled with some of the book's themes, objectively speaking this is a beautifully written book.
thegingerpageturner's review
4.0
Thank you to @birdtabitha for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review
seasonforreading's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me laugh and made me cry. I will read anything and everything by Tabitha Bird, her writing is descriptive and magical. Her ideas come to life through incredible prose, and I am in love with her stories.
In A Lifetime of Impossible Days we meet Willa, aged 8, aged 33 and aged 93. As the past changes, so does the future, and the Willa's memories and stories hold incredible significance. Each Willa is going through their own struggle in some way, and the ocean that they all plant helps them to communicate and support each other.
The book is difficult to read at times, due to the domestic violence, child abuse and addiction themes that are discussed. It is confronting and upsetting, but the book is truly incredible. I cannot recommend this book, and Tabitha Bird, highly enough. Please do yourselves a favour and read this. Fans of Jodi Piccoult and Delia Owens will love this.
In A Lifetime of Impossible Days we meet Willa, aged 8, aged 33 and aged 93. As the past changes, so does the future, and the Willa's memories and stories hold incredible significance. Each Willa is going through their own struggle in some way, and the ocean that they all plant helps them to communicate and support each other.
The book is difficult to read at times, due to the domestic violence, child abuse and addiction themes that are discussed. It is confronting and upsetting, but the book is truly incredible. I cannot recommend this book, and Tabitha Bird, highly enough. Please do yourselves a favour and read this. Fans of Jodi Piccoult and Delia Owens will love this.
jkeyes's review against another edition
3.0
2.5⭐️ rounded up
I so loved the premise of this book but it should have come with a warning over the inclusion of child sexual abuse, that was the purpose for the three Willa’s to come together and heal.
I so loved the premise of this book but it should have come with a warning over the inclusion of child sexual abuse, that was the purpose for the three Willa’s to come together and heal.
inkbee's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25