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kristinoffiler's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal book. I love Flannery O'Connor and was excited to see her as a character in this novel. I liked that she wasn't the main focus, but an important component in this complex puzzle of a story. I absolutely loved it. Read it in 2 days.
bek67's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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
Hello Beautiful was one of my favorite reads this year so I was excited to start this book. What began as the magic of ordinary days in Milledgeville, GA turned into navigating a tragedy that impacted the lives of 4 families. I love how Napolitano seemlessly weaves a story that draws you in. Before I knew it, I have strong feelings about all of the characters! And those opinions changed over time. Flannery-the author that walks around with a chip on her shoulder. Cookie-The annoying Southern Belle. Lona-the bored wife/mother who I really feel like is probably an Enneagram Type 9-she is living her life and has no clue how she got there. I was kinda shocked that Lona did not do ANY jail time for her crime of sleeping with an underaged adult! Maybe the author did not want to take both of Gigi's parents away, but I cannot wrap my brain around why that was just glossed over But I truly appreciate the richness and depth of the characters. Book 2 by this author that I've read and I will continue to read more!
marnold3305's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebleejen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I quite enjoyed this book. After finishing, I initially thought it didn't seem very O'Connor-esque, but the more I reflected on it, I could see O'Connor's influence. Looking forward to reading other work by this author.
kathrynsjournal's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
msarendt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
lediamond4's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
Ann Napolitano’s writing is so unique, her stories so beautiful, and her characters so full of life. I have my favorite characters in every book sure, but she has the ability to take others who I’m hating at one point in time and humanize them and make me feel more sympathetic for their situations.
It took me a little while to get into this one. There were a lot of moving pieces and ways that all of the characters were interacting and connecting with one another that was a little difficult for me to keep track of. But once it all started to come together I felt myself being drawn into the story. By about halfway through I found that I just couldn’t put it down.
The emotions I felt were many. Frustration, anger, even hatred. Sorrow, empathy, and just love. I felt a connection with each and every person and cared about all of them. I love all of Ann Napolitano’s stories and her characters are easily her best work. They’re consistently fleshed out and real and all out incredible.
I’m giving this a 3.5 because although I thought the addition of Flannery O’Connor was interesting and (mostly) well done, I’m always a little uncomfortable reading fictional accounts of real people. And she was a huge character in this story. I do think it was well done, as I would expect of Napolitano at this point to be honest. The character O’Connor was a central character to the plot and the other characters. Gorgeous and cohesive. But I also think it would have been just as gorgeous and cohesive (probably even more so, actually) if she had just been a fictionalized writer. I’ll have to read her writing to see if it sheds any light on Napolitano’s decision to choose her.
Regardless, Ann Napolitano has consistently left me feeling drained and fulfilled at the same time from her books and she has become one of my favorite authors this year.
It took me a little while to get into this one. There were a lot of moving pieces and ways that all of the characters were interacting and connecting with one another that was a little difficult for me to keep track of. But once it all started to come together I felt myself being drawn into the story. By about halfway through I found that I just couldn’t put it down.
The emotions I felt were many. Frustration, anger, even hatred. Sorrow, empathy, and just love. I felt a connection with each and every person and cared about all of them. I love all of Ann Napolitano’s stories and her characters are easily her best work. They’re consistently fleshed out and real and all out incredible.
I’m giving this a 3.5 because although I thought the addition of Flannery O’Connor was interesting and (mostly) well done, I’m always a little uncomfortable reading fictional accounts of real people. And she was a huge character in this story. I do think it was well done, as I would expect of Napolitano at this point to be honest. The character O’Connor was a central character to the plot and the other characters. Gorgeous and cohesive. But I also think it would have been just as gorgeous and cohesive (probably even more so, actually) if she had just been a fictionalized writer. I’ll have to read her writing to see if it sheds any light on Napolitano’s decision to choose her.
Regardless, Ann Napolitano has consistently left me feeling drained and fulfilled at the same time from her books and she has become one of my favorite authors this year.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
4.0
If the real Flannery O'Connor was anything like her character in this book I think I would have loved her.
While this book was nowhere near as dismal as the writing of F. O'Connor herself, it was still full of tragedy - and a major question here seemed to be: who is to blame?
My answer continues to be: no one. Or, fine, maybe someone. But what does it really matter?
While this book was nowhere near as dismal as the writing of F. O'Connor herself, it was still full of tragedy - and a major question here seemed to be: who is to blame?
My answer continues to be: no one. Or, fine, maybe someone. But what does it really matter?