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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
~ 2 stars, it was okay ~
(DNF, stopped page 187)
I gave up on finishing it a few days ago but am really struggling to word my thoughts on it.
The writing, especially descriptions of the settings and characters, was exceptionally good. I also really enjoyed reading a story set in Central California, so close to home, and in the familiar environment of the Bay Area-adjacent farmland I've driven through so often. However, I really struggled to fully feel invested. Everything seemed to move forward so slowly, and I...didn't really understand where the author was trying to go. From various online searches, I gather that it's a retelling of the Cain and Abel story (which makes me think that perhaps if I came from a Christian background I would have enjoyed this more) and that the moral is something to do with his own version of the concept of Timshel (though mayest do good, not shall or could, but may), and about human morality.
I really wanted this book to stick, but I've set it aside and picked it back up a few times in the last few weeks and just don't feel invested enough to finish it. It had a lot of promise, though. Perhaps a few years from now I'll give it another shot and be blown away.
(DNF, stopped page 187)
I gave up on finishing it a few days ago but am really struggling to word my thoughts on it.
The writing, especially descriptions of the settings and characters, was exceptionally good. I also really enjoyed reading a story set in Central California, so close to home, and in the familiar environment of the Bay Area-adjacent farmland I've driven through so often. However, I really struggled to fully feel invested. Everything seemed to move forward so slowly, and I...didn't really understand where the author was trying to go. From various online searches, I gather that it's a retelling of the Cain and Abel story (which makes me think that perhaps if I came from a Christian background I would have enjoyed this more) and that the moral is something to do with his own version of the concept of Timshel (though mayest do good, not shall or could, but may), and about human morality.
I really wanted this book to stick, but I've set it aside and picked it back up a few times in the last few weeks and just don't feel invested enough to finish it. It had a lot of promise, though. Perhaps a few years from now I'll give it another shot and be blown away.
challenging
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lee has to be my favourite character of all time.
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
Quality read. All of the characters were extremely well-developed and the story was engaging. Lee was the best.
I’m ready for a book that’s less than 600 pages long now
I’m ready for a book that’s less than 600 pages long now
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
8.5/10
Poetic and has one of the most intriguing allegories on heritage and choice, told across whole generations of characters, events, and settings? Yes. Life-changing? I can see for some people, but to me…I’m still on the fence on the answer.
Regardless, this is still one of the finest Classic Lit books I’ve read, and I’m interested in reading more of Steinbeck’s other novels.
Poetic and has one of the most intriguing allegories on heritage and choice, told across whole generations of characters, events, and settings? Yes. Life-changing? I can see for some people, but to me…I’m still on the fence on the answer.
Regardless, this is still one of the finest Classic Lit books I’ve read, and I’m interested in reading more of Steinbeck’s other novels.