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nancidrum's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read any of the writing of Flannery O'Connor, although now after reading this book, she will be on my list to read. In this novel, by the very talented Ann Napolitano, Flannery is at the center of the book. I was trying to read this book quickly as it was during a reading challenge on GR, but it was near impossible. There are so many beautiful sentences and paragraphs that just insist on being reread and savored. The storyline itself is compelling and held my interest. The volcano of emotions that take place were very much not expected.
At the end, I was torn on the rating, but settled on 4 stars. It would make a good book for a book discussion, although there are some very disturbing parts.
At the end, I was torn on the rating, but settled on 4 stars. It would make a good book for a book discussion, although there are some very disturbing parts.
becca_books's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. This was an enjoyable read, with interesting characters. A sort of slow buildup, but once the tragedy happened, I was sucked in.
This also left me wanting to read some Flannery O’Connor, sort of.
This also left me wanting to read some Flannery O’Connor, sort of.
kkilburn's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so amazing that I finished it on the last leg of a flight home from my women's martial arts conference - a time when I was physically and mentally exhausted and should have been sleeping. Or, if not sleeping, reading a nice, fluffy romance. But I just couldn't stay away from this masterpiece. Now, I know nothing about Flannery O'Connor (yes, it's shocking, I know), so I can't draw any parallels between Napolitano's work and O'Connor's own. I can only respond to the book as it stands on its own. It stands very well indeed!
For me, the book falls naturally into three sections. In the first, Napolitano introduces us Milledgeville, Georgia, and three women living there: Flannery O'Connor, who has returned to her childhood home after the onset of crippling lupus; Cookie, a young wife stepping into her rightful place among the town's leading women; and Lona, a struggling seamstress married to an ambitious police officer. These women, the ancillary characters, and the town they live in are beautifully realized - complex and real down to their bones, and never descending to caricature.
In the second section, the interactions among the characters results in devastating personal tragedy. That the interactions would result in conflict was obvious as I was reading - that was clear from the natures of the characters and the relationships themselves. But I had no idea how the situation would explode, nor was I in any way prepared for the explosion when it happened. Which is how life works, isn't it? One minute you're living your life, and the next your world has been turned upside down and you're left gasping for breath, trying to figure out where the pieces went. What I'm trying to say is that Napolitano created a perfectly unexpected, perfectly devastating, and perfectly real catastrophe to throw every character into a tailspin. It took my breath away. How each character reacts makes up the rest of this section.
Fortunately, Napolitano doesn't leave us hanging there, but follows each character and s/he hits bottom and begins the long climb back into the light. The journeys aren't necessarily pretty, but they are human. And, ultimately, they are heartbreakingly beautiful.
I am in awe of Napolitano's craftsmanship - of the way she made every character, every setting, and every action in this book so completely real and natural. I love her prose, which is at once poetic and powerful without being contrived. I adore her humor, which is sly and witty without being mean. I can't wait to read her next work!
For me, the book falls naturally into three sections. In the first, Napolitano introduces us Milledgeville, Georgia, and three women living there: Flannery O'Connor, who has returned to her childhood home after the onset of crippling lupus; Cookie, a young wife stepping into her rightful place among the town's leading women; and Lona, a struggling seamstress married to an ambitious police officer. These women, the ancillary characters, and the town they live in are beautifully realized - complex and real down to their bones, and never descending to caricature.
In the second section, the interactions among the characters results in devastating personal tragedy. That the interactions would result in conflict was obvious as I was reading - that was clear from the natures of the characters and the relationships themselves. But I had no idea how the situation would explode, nor was I in any way prepared for the explosion when it happened. Which is how life works, isn't it? One minute you're living your life, and the next your world has been turned upside down and you're left gasping for breath, trying to figure out where the pieces went. What I'm trying to say is that Napolitano created a perfectly unexpected, perfectly devastating, and perfectly real catastrophe to throw every character into a tailspin. It took my breath away. How each character reacts makes up the rest of this section.
Fortunately, Napolitano doesn't leave us hanging there, but follows each character and s/he hits bottom and begins the long climb back into the light. The journeys aren't necessarily pretty, but they are human. And, ultimately, they are heartbreakingly beautiful.
I am in awe of Napolitano's craftsmanship - of the way she made every character, every setting, and every action in this book so completely real and natural. I love her prose, which is at once poetic and powerful without being contrived. I adore her humor, which is sly and witty without being mean. I can't wait to read her next work!
lisastein's review
3.0
So well written, and I just couldn't give up on it. Maybe if I had known it had something to do with Flannery O'Connor (it is in the sub-title...) I would have been prepared for this a bit more?
It just wasn't my cup of tea, but again, very well written, and I did finish it. I will read everything that Ann Napolitano writes. :)
It just wasn't my cup of tea, but again, very well written, and I did finish it. I will read everything that Ann Napolitano writes. :)
amandanan's review against another edition
5.0
Not gonna lie, I picked up this book solely for the peacock that adorns the cover.
maureenmccombs's review against another edition
4.0
This would have been 4.5 stars if I had the ability to rate it that way. Very well-written. The author did a great job of developing the characters and of interweaving the various plot lines. The climax was unexpected and the consequences were well thought out and expertly executed. Definitely recommend.
alyssagunn's review against another edition
5.0
this book (& learning more ab Ann Napolitano) inspired my current mood of wanting to quit my job & go find myself n shit. also my girl is so good at capturing real human life & complicated relationships it feels so good to read.
lisastein's review against another edition
3.0
So well written, and I just couldn't give up on it. Maybe if I had known it had something to do with Flannery O'Connor (it is in the sub-title...) I would have been prepared for this a bit more?
It just wasn't my cup of tea, but again, very well written, and I did finish it. I will read everything that Ann Napolitano writes. :)
It just wasn't my cup of tea, but again, very well written, and I did finish it. I will read everything that Ann Napolitano writes. :)
bookwormliz's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely BRILLIANT!!! I love Flannery O'Connor and was not sure that I would enjoy this novel or that it could even do justice to O'Connor's legacy---I was wrong! READ IT!
jchristy's review
5.0
Favorite line: The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.