Reviews

Yonnondio: From the Thirties by Tillie Olsen

roxyc's review

dark sad slow-paced

3.0

strrygo's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-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? Yes

4.25

i should've known what i was getting into, and i almost had an idea of what to expect, but it was somehow so much more heart-wrenching n dizzying than i could've ever prepared for (in the best way possible). reading this after olsen's "i want you women up north to know" there r so many of her poetic tendencies that make their way into the book nd lend it a beauty—despite? because of? the suffering at its heart. it was just going to be impossible for me to make it out without leaving a bit of myself with the characters...from chapter five on i was just in awe  at how much pain we are capable of inflicting upon one another(i knew we were, really, but seeing it happening again and again wearing down on the character's makes it more visceral), how easily scorn builds when life isn't worth living but you have to anyway, so so good i can't explain how much anna and mazie affected me. almost glad the book wasn't completed because i don't think i could take seeing them endure any more, but i wish i could see them not having to endure (on the page).
it's me vs proletarian literature and between this n the bits of rukeyser's book of the dead i read... i'm losing

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse

Moderate: Miscarriage and Rape

Minor: Kidnapping

clovemorris's review

2.0

This one was difficult to follow and just a little soul crushing. Still, the writing was piercing and dense, accomplishing a lot where it was discernable.

sammarsore's review

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

olsonally's review

dark reflective sad fast-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

4.5

jenna0010's review

4.0

A world whose earth is splitting beneath its workers' feet, a sun blistering backs, the of industrialism ceaselessly in motion. And amidst the depressive, yet achingly beautiful, landscape of 1930s American Midwest, a mother and her family persisting, toiling, hungering. Olsen describes both the domestic and industrial with such sharpness; the home and the kill floor of the local meatpacking plant are both sites of struggle, ruin and resistance. And the cover of this reprint, gosh. How is it that my favourite Dorothea Lange photograph heads this book of my dreams?!

melrosereads's review

5.0

I loved this book its depressing but the story, the characters and the tone you can't tear you attention away. It revolve around a family in the midst of war, you get to know their ambition, dreams, hope and struggle in poverty. The fact the author didn't get to finish the story and a lot of people piece this together with the notes she just left speaks volume of what could have happened if she got to finish the story will the end be satisfying or the story is intriguing because it hangs midsentence? I guess, will never know :)

defays's review

challenging dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

ktmclean94's review

dark 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

3.5

whataudreads's review

3.0

This is easily the most depressing book I’ve ever read. It is incredibly short, but feels incredibly long when you consider the fact that there is no joy within these 193 pages. This was so masterfully written that I found myself feeling dirty, sick, dizzy, and exhausted right alongside these characters. It was not a pleasant read, but it was certainly an impactful one.
The writing style did, at times, feel slightly all over the place. This was definitely nice in some ways as it contributed to the strong feelings it gave me as a reader, but it did become hard to follow. Still likely worth a read if you’re interested.