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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I loved this story of two families, the Pickles and the Lambs, set in Perth, Australia between 1943 and 1963. The focus of the book is the rambling, ancient house in Cloud Street which the Pickles family inherit and rent out half of to the Lambs, who open a shop straight away and work to support their own, and the Pickles' families. The themes include the social and architectural changes in post-war Australia, personal guilt and the role of women in supporting their families to their own detriment. Although the story feels true to life and realistic, there are elements of fantasy and magic which add depth and commentary to the story.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-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
This epic family saga has several interesting plotlines and tons of quirky, often bonkers characters.
But I couldn't quite love it for a couple of reasons. My main issue is the style and structure of the novel, which distracts rather than enhances the story. It is very fragmented and full of short sub-chapters which affects the flow. Winton's prose is quite raw here and sometimes a little too colloquial.
There are elements of Strout's Olive Kitteridge and Drury's Grouse County trilogy but, while there is plenty in there for fans of those works, it is an ultimately inferior book.
But I couldn't quite love it for a couple of reasons. My main issue is the style and structure of the novel, which distracts rather than enhances the story. It is very fragmented and full of short sub-chapters which affects the flow. Winton's prose is quite raw here and sometimes a little too colloquial.
There are elements of Strout's Olive Kitteridge and Drury's Grouse County trilogy but, while there is plenty in there for fans of those works, it is an ultimately inferior book.
challenging
emotional
funny
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
A joy to read. Two families sharing a dilapidated house (Cloudstreet), separated by walls and fences and by their own insecurities play out their lives. Herein are multilayered characters intertwined with Lady Luck, the River, the shadows on the wall, tragedies and triumphs and the slow creep of Life. We learn to love some of them, accept others, feel the pain of a murderer and his family, eager to come along for the ride. Poetic description with a thread of magic realism, humorous dialog, characters growing and changing with time, tragedy and occasional joy - it's all here. You won't forget these people or Cloudstreet.
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book helped me understand Australian culture a little better, but I found it hard to keep up with.