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faeriesparks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just what the title implies - very, very strange but at the same time so beautiful. AND HEARTBREAKING!
I really enjoyed the whimsical writing and the way this story was told. The entire book is told from Ava's POV but we start with her grandmother growing up, then her mother and then get to Ava.
A lot of times I actually had no idea what was happening but I didn't mind at all.
I really enjoyed the whimsical writing and the way this story was told. The entire book is told from Ava's POV but we start with her grandmother growing up, then her mother and then get to Ava.
A lot of times I actually had no idea what was happening but I didn't mind at all.
rachd24's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5* Review.
I read this book as part of The Transatlantic Book Project - http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/11/15/the-transatlantic-book-project/ - 10 bloggers, 2 books, 2 countries.
Magical realism isn't a genre I tend to gravitate towards. I either do contemporary, or full on fantasy, but rarely anything in between. Magical elements make sense to me in a fantasy setting, because they are supposed to be there, but magical realism doesn’t always work for me because the magical, and often downright odd, elements are inexplicable.
The first, and most obvious, thing to say about this book, is how amazed I am that this is Walton’s debut. Whether magical realism works for you or not, there is no denying that this is a beautifully written story. Spanning three generations of Roux women, I loved the historical element to the tale, and the back stories we get for each character. The novel is told with a somewhat whimsical and dream-like tone, reminiscent of an adult/modern fairy tale. While the story is character driven, there is plenty of plot, and the book never really drags at any point – it’s well paced and has an element of mystery throughout, which is intensified by some seriously ominous foreshadowing.
While this book could drown you, at times, in tragedy, unfairness and grief, it could also be quietly uplifting, reassuring and occasionally hopeful. My biggest concern is that our main character does suffer some traumatic circumstances, which were largely left unpunished, and that ultimately didn’t sit right with me.
Check out my full review:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/12/09/review-the-strange-and-beautiful-sorrows-of-ava-lavender/
I read this book as part of The Transatlantic Book Project - http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/11/15/the-transatlantic-book-project/ - 10 bloggers, 2 books, 2 countries.
Magical realism isn't a genre I tend to gravitate towards. I either do contemporary, or full on fantasy, but rarely anything in between. Magical elements make sense to me in a fantasy setting, because they are supposed to be there, but magical realism doesn’t always work for me because the magical, and often downright odd, elements are inexplicable.
The first, and most obvious, thing to say about this book, is how amazed I am that this is Walton’s debut. Whether magical realism works for you or not, there is no denying that this is a beautifully written story. Spanning three generations of Roux women, I loved the historical element to the tale, and the back stories we get for each character. The novel is told with a somewhat whimsical and dream-like tone, reminiscent of an adult/modern fairy tale. While the story is character driven, there is plenty of plot, and the book never really drags at any point – it’s well paced and has an element of mystery throughout, which is intensified by some seriously ominous foreshadowing.
While this book could drown you, at times, in tragedy, unfairness and grief, it could also be quietly uplifting, reassuring and occasionally hopeful. My biggest concern is that our main character does suffer some traumatic circumstances, which were largely left unpunished, and that ultimately didn’t sit right with me.
Check out my full review:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/12/09/review-the-strange-and-beautiful-sorrows-of-ava-lavender/
pinkodd's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smithce23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
calloe's review against another edition
3.0
You can read my review here: https://camillaloesite.wordpress.com/2018/01/29/the-strange-and-beautiful-sorrows-of-ava-lavender-book-review/
sorcerors's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I had a feeling I would like this book. I did, for the background it provides, for the way it depicts the awesome power of love to lift or destroy, for the lyrical language and the absolute magic of it all. It’s a masterclass in magic realism and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
abbyl819's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars: I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, and that s the way that I would recommend reading it. The title of this book is the best title that they could have chosen. It fits the book in an accurate yet fittingly beautiful way. The author spends almost 100 pages outlining the history and past of the main character, Ava Lavender. It had originally been a little dull but quickly picked up, and I was soon able to see how necessary the strange heritage of the main character is. The title truest is he best way to describe this book, as it truly is very strange, incredibly beautiful, and painfully sorrowful. Overall, this book was very well written and I would reread this book again.