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hrstarzec's review
4.5
Tender, rich collection of scattered vignettes, which all center the same character except for an opening story that curiously carries a magical realism that acts as a sort of guiding influence on the strict realism of the rest of the book. (There is also a story that focuses on the main character's mother rather than herself.) Despite largely following one person, this book resists the constraints of a novel, as each vignette is more or less independent of the rest, displaced in time rather than following a logical chronology, often introducing new side characters and having standalone conflict and messaging. I found the stories that detailed Kate's relationship with her family the most compelling. Early on, there's a wonderfully affecting story of a childhood Christmas, and later on there's one of a young adult Kate visiting the beach with her family, and in each her sister and mother are portrayed with such complexity and feel so real. There are inevitably a couple vignettes that aren't quite so compelling, but as a whole this collection/book/whatever you call it is very strong.
alison_marie's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely, evocative collection of short stories revolving around the life of Kate Bishop, a young woman struggling to find her place in the world. Cara Blue Adams really brings her environments to life, whether it's rural Vermont, snow-covered Cambridge, or the desert of Arizona. Kate is an interesting narrator, as she's often aloof and detached, but you really want her to succeed as you follow the nonlinear path of her life through the stories.
There is a story about a sick pet that was upsetting to read. Despite the difficulty getting through this brief story, it does give insight into Kate's mother, as it's told from her point of view.
I look forward to reading more of Cara Blue Adams' work, if this collection is any indication of her talent.
There is a story about a sick pet that was upsetting to read. Despite the difficulty getting through this brief story, it does give insight into Kate's mother, as it's told from her point of view.
I look forward to reading more of Cara Blue Adams' work, if this collection is any indication of her talent.
kwough's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
chasingholden's review
You Never Get it Back is a well crafted narrative with extraordinary attention to detail and characters that are developed fairly well. The story is set up as a sort of short story collection providing the reader with glimpses of the main character, Kate, at two different points in her life.; With all the segments coming together to create a true novel.
While there were some amazing aspects of this book, I do feel as though I left the book without truly getting to the core of Kate. Yes, we read a lot about her in vivid detail but it remains a summary of the character rather than encompassing the very core of her.
The plot is interesting enough to call to readers and have them stick though the story but I do feel as though most, like myself, will walk away from with ease, with no wow factor. I would recommend giving it a go, as you may feel differently about the character, which is the main issue I had with this book.
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for providing me an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review. I am honored to share my opiinion's and hope you find it helpful
While there were some amazing aspects of this book, I do feel as though I left the book without truly getting to the core of Kate. Yes, we read a lot about her in vivid detail but it remains a summary of the character rather than encompassing the very core of her.
The plot is interesting enough to call to readers and have them stick though the story but I do feel as though most, like myself, will walk away from with ease, with no wow factor. I would recommend giving it a go, as you may feel differently about the character, which is the main issue I had with this book.
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for providing me an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review. I am honored to share my opiinion's and hope you find it helpful
emmabussolotta's review
1.0
Okay my review was too harsh, so this is my redo:
This book: victim blames rape survivors, stigmatizes HIV, has lots of internalized misogyny, and racial stereotypes, and these are never brought up again or resolved.
This book: victim blames rape survivors, stigmatizes HIV, has lots of internalized misogyny, and racial stereotypes, and these are never brought up again or resolved.
furbae's review
4.0
It really does bother me that partial stars don’t compute because I dislike rounding up or down. Anyway, this collection was lush and absolutely rich in capturing the inner life of Kate Bishop and the people that surrounds her. Meeting loss at the beginning of the collection becomes a current that runs through each story as we follow Kate who is navigating the turbulent waters of young adulthood. This was an absolutely beautiful collection, so clear-eyed and precise in its insight and revelatory in how it shed light on cracks and fissures in seemingly banal moments. It absolutely left me breathless.
Admittedly, toward the end, there were some bits that felt more tedious but it was not at the expense of the work as a whole. I’ve not read Cara Blue Adams’ work before but I certainly will now.
Admittedly, toward the end, there were some bits that felt more tedious but it was not at the expense of the work as a whole. I’ve not read Cara Blue Adams’ work before but I certainly will now.
garleighc's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shardai_smithh's review
4.0
Thoughts
- Kate is nearly unknowable as a full person but I think that's the point, and if it's not, then I prefer it that way. She's made up of instances, worries and doubts, trauma and success. She both fears and desires commitment, sacred to have it and fearful that she'll loose it all. I don't need to see her and guess "who she is." All I want is to peek inside of a person, see how they react to things, and wonder if I would react that way, too.
- I think the ending is a reminder that happiness is fickle and random and you can never prepare for it, just like you can't prepare for the saddness of life. I identify with Kate's fear of committing to Eli, and to all the other guys, and her fear of being without his comfort and love. To me, this is most human.
- I loved how complicated each of Kate's relationships were, but especially her relationships with Esme, Agnes, and her mother. None of these relationships feel satisfying but that's life. It's unpleasant and when it works, it just works.
- Kate is nearly unknowable as a full person but I think that's the point, and if it's not, then I prefer it that way. She's made up of instances, worries and doubts, trauma and success. She both fears and desires commitment, sacred to have it and fearful that she'll loose it all. I don't need to see her and guess "who she is." All I want is to peek inside of a person, see how they react to things, and wonder if I would react that way, too.
- I think the ending is a reminder that happiness is fickle and random and you can never prepare for it, just like you can't prepare for the saddness of life. I identify with Kate's fear of committing to Eli, and to all the other guys, and her fear of being without his comfort and love. To me, this is most human.
- I loved how complicated each of Kate's relationships were, but especially her relationships with Esme, Agnes, and her mother. None of these relationships feel satisfying but that's life. It's unpleasant and when it works, it just works.
sofiam012345's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
icarly's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.0