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katiegilley's review against another edition
This was a wonderful story about a house and the people who lived in it over what seems to be a couple of hundred years. The house is a farm in Cape Cod, MA that is inhabited by white blackbirds, sweet peas, turnips, and the ghosts of residents-past. The stories really focus on the people involved, with the house as a cozy, homey backdrop. Definitely moving and definitely enjoyable.
graciesmom's review against another edition
5.0
Ten years later, I still remember how this book made me feel. Adding a star.
Heart-wrenching stories revolving around the different inhabitants of Blackbird House. I had to put the book down between chapters. Beautifully told.
Heart-wrenching stories revolving around the different inhabitants of Blackbird House. I had to put the book down between chapters. Beautifully told.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of vignettes, spanning two-plus centuries, all set in the same house / farm on the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. beginning when the area was still a British colony and ending in the early 21st century.
There is something magical about the property, starting with the snow-white blackbird whose appearance frequently portends disaster. Still, couples make it a home, start their families, till the soil, pick the fruit, make pies, and jam. And each family is changed by their time at Blackbird House.
I found these stories enchanting and mesmerizing, though I’m hard pressed to say what exactly it was about them that so charmed me. Maybe that is the magic of Hoffman’s storytelling.
There is something magical about the property, starting with the snow-white blackbird whose appearance frequently portends disaster. Still, couples make it a home, start their families, till the soil, pick the fruit, make pies, and jam. And each family is changed by their time at Blackbird House.
I found these stories enchanting and mesmerizing, though I’m hard pressed to say what exactly it was about them that so charmed me. Maybe that is the magic of Hoffman’s storytelling.
foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
Fate.
Lovely prose interconnects narratives about the land, the home, and the people of Blackbird House. This book is about magic and humanity and grief and the wilds of nature. Though it has changed hands many times over the two hundred years, Blackbird House has always been a refuge and a dream. A safe haven and a place of sacrifice. Many of the stories had intriguing premises and some a little mystery.
So many beautiful quotes!
Lovely prose interconnects narratives about the land, the home, and the people of Blackbird House. This book is about magic and humanity and grief and the wilds of nature. Though it has changed hands many times over the two hundred years, Blackbird House has always been a refuge and a dream. A safe haven and a place of sacrifice. Many of the stories had intriguing premises and some a little mystery.
So many beautiful quotes!
shannonsreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25
becs_sw's review against another edition
4.0
Good, but somewhat disconnected
I really enjoyed but I think I need to reread to connect the entire story. It needs a timeline and character list; there are so many.
I really enjoyed but I think I need to reread to connect the entire story. It needs a timeline and character list; there are so many.
xjinxedx's review against another edition
3.0
This was a collection of short stories surrounding a house throughout the years. Some stories were cute and some were haunting, while others didn't really leave much of an impression.
lconrad15's review against another edition
4.0
There is something about the word choice and tone of this book that was just right. I wish it had followed a family more than the property, but still hit the spot somehow.