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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This book showed up a lot in the posts asking what you're currently reading and its mention always had a lot of likes. Between that and seeing a lot of hype for it, I was so excited to read it. Maybe that was a bad thing because it just wasn't that interesting to me. I saw that a lot of people listened to the audio version. Maybe, just maybe, having Meryl Streep telling the story would have made me enjoy it more. Having just read it, however, it left me with a weird, unsatisfied feeling. Some of the characters weren't likable to me and it felt depressing. [SPOILER] The whole thing about Emily thinking her Dad was Peter Duke and insisting on it for years was just weird. I didn't like her character and that part of the story took away something from the story overall. [END SPOILER] When you like some of the characters (Nelson, Sebastian, and the other two daughters), but end up disliking many of the other characters, it's difficult to enjoy the book. It gets 3.5 stars from me, and I feel like that is a gift. Many readers who love Ann Patchett say this is their least favorite book, so I'm going to try one of her others and hope that I like it better.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
slow-paced
While I never got bored, I don't understand the purpose of these books. I never connect with the characters nor grow attached to their stories. It feels like a friend sharing some personal memory, only I don't care for this friend and the memory is meaningless to me.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I can't really explain why but I cried and cried for the last quarter of the book. If you like stories that reminisce and romanticize the past, give this book your time.
Plus, I love Ann Patchett.
Plus, I love Ann Patchett.
hopeful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity
Moderate: Cancer, Abortion
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes