Reviews

Actress by Anne Enright

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harrietmarydean's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

laurenedoherty's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

eschercat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

A daughter’s multi layered biography of the damaged actress is addressed to her unseen partner, and in learning of her mothers’ life we also learn of how their relationship has shaped the narrator’s. We hope that Norah’s writing, in such elegant prose has brought her peace.

ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition

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3.0

I picked up this book because I am always a sucker for any story that takes place during the Golden Age of Hollywood. While this book does touch on how the Hollywood machine uses up women, the emphasis is placed on the Mother/Daughter relationship. There's nothing wrong with a book that is thoughtful and meditative, it just wasn't what I was geared for.

I think the main issue I have is that I never had a sense of the narrator, Norah's, personality. She is the observer, someone whose existence will always be overshadowed by her legendary mother, but she is just so bland. I wasn't hooked on Norah's voice because I never got a feel for her character. Norah is just... there.

essjay1's review against another edition

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5.0

Enright has such a way with her words, a unique way of stringing then together to deliver a scene. Actress is full of many such lines, and for those alone the book is a joy to read.

ja3m3's review

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2.0

I know when I read a book that is literary fiction the focus will be on character development with little plot movement. I'm OK with that. But after reading this book I feel like I walked a labyrinth path led by an emotionless narrator who lost her way somewhere in the middle and is fumbling to the end. Was the story about her mother, her husband, herself? The writing is beautiful and I know I missed something important in the reading. I just don't want to go back and figure it out.

smalltownbookmom's review

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3.0

5/5 for narration (the author narrates this book herself which definitely lends something extra to the narrative voice). The story itself was just a 3/5 for me however. I really wanted to like it more but the stream of consciousness style of narration was honestly a little boring. I guess i was expecting more excitement or drama from a story about a 1950s actress. Hearing the mother’s story from the daughter kind of left you removed from the action and less invested. Great story idea but overall execution left me wanting.