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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
This book was interesting enough to hold my attention...but the ending was so "meh" to me. I don't even know how to really describe it. I liked the story, but wish the ending gave you a bit more of how things turn out.
I found this story of a highly dysfunctional family boring, frustrating and depressing, all at the same time. Summed up, this is a story of how religious guilt slowly destroyed 3 generations of a privileged family.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had a lot of characters (Irish Catholic Family). Most of the book was about character development which the author did do well but I was expecting more interaction between the characters and the second character didn't arrive until page 250 or so (halfway through the book). It was good, but you really have to stick with it. Not a book I wanted to stay up all night to read.
I really liked Commencement and Maine had many similarities. Sullivan's ability to capture the relationships between women and build deeply flawed but believable characters is often more compelling than the story she is telling. Mostly, this book made me yearn for a family beach house in Maine--a long time dream of mine. I could live without the dysfunctional family that populated this one, however.
Modern literature often seems to be more about mood or feeling and less about a good story. When I read a novel, one of the things I really want is a good story. "Maine" fit the bill admirably. At 385 pages and a plot that goes back and forth in time, it's not a fast read.
However, it is immensely satisfying and really very wonderful. The book centers around three generations of Irish-American women and their relationship problems. After reading it, I've decided to read her first book, Commencement soon, although the subject matter doesn't interest me as much as this one.
The main character is Alice, 80+ year old Boston widow who goes to the family's summer cottage in Maine every summer. She is there alone for long periods of time although different family members go at different times. She is a richly-drawn character that I loved to dislike, but not hate.
The Irish guilt-ridden Catholicism is the backdrop for the conflict between Alice and her children and their children and grandchildren. Alice is hardly your all-American cookie baking mother which makes her an interesting character. As the New York times review says below, you really don't want the book to end when it does. You want it to go on and tell us more. I really loved this book. This is an author I plan to follow because she really knows how to write a good story
However, it is immensely satisfying and really very wonderful. The book centers around three generations of Irish-American women and their relationship problems. After reading it, I've decided to read her first book, Commencement soon, although the subject matter doesn't interest me as much as this one.
The main character is Alice, 80+ year old Boston widow who goes to the family's summer cottage in Maine every summer. She is there alone for long periods of time although different family members go at different times. She is a richly-drawn character that I loved to dislike, but not hate.
The Irish guilt-ridden Catholicism is the backdrop for the conflict between Alice and her children and their children and grandchildren. Alice is hardly your all-American cookie baking mother which makes her an interesting character. As the New York times review says below, you really don't want the book to end when it does. You want it to go on and tell us more. I really loved this book. This is an author I plan to follow because she really knows how to write a good story
After all the mixes reviews I have read on here/Amazon, I have to say this I really enjoyed this book from start to end (which hasn't been happening lately). I think if you come from an Irish Catholic family, you'll enjoy it, or at least possibly be able to relate to the stories in the book.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow read. The chapters, told from different characters perspectives, read more as loosely connected vignettes than a tight and cohesive story.
If J. Courtney Sullivan keeps it up, she will become one of my favorite authors. This was the second of hers for me and I loved it. Multiple generations of family drama in a beach house on the Maine coast while alternating viewpoints. I’m in.