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karolinatx's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading All the Finest Girls, though I walked away with that slightly clammy feeling I get when reading about people who are treading the fine line of sanity. Addy Abraham is a sick little girl, driven to hallucinations and fits by the neglect and selfishness of her alcoholic father and simpering debutant of a mother. Her grip on sanity is strengthened by the arrival of Lou, her Caribbean nanny. Now that Lou has died, Addy as an adult travels to St. Clair, still unwell, to face the ghosts of her past. Ms. Styron has written the book by alternating chapters of the adult and child Addy, which works well and is easy to follow.
All the Finest Girls is a disheartening book, the story of a sad and lonely little girl whose parents have forgotten the cardinal rule of parenthood -- the parents are no longer the focus of attention. I did not find Addy to be a particularly likeable character, though; she managed to somewhat annoy and bore me at the same time. It was the supporting cast that really shined in the novel, and I look forward to hearing more from Alexandra Styron. Also recommended along these lines is [b:Bee Season|251762|Bee Season|Myla Goldberg|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327908650s/251762.jpg|2482870] by Myla Goldberg -- if you liked this one, you should give it a try.
All the Finest Girls is a disheartening book, the story of a sad and lonely little girl whose parents have forgotten the cardinal rule of parenthood -- the parents are no longer the focus of attention. I did not find Addy to be a particularly likeable character, though; she managed to somewhat annoy and bore me at the same time. It was the supporting cast that really shined in the novel, and I look forward to hearing more from Alexandra Styron. Also recommended along these lines is [b:Bee Season|251762|Bee Season|Myla Goldberg|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327908650s/251762.jpg|2482870] by Myla Goldberg -- if you liked this one, you should give it a try.
yangyvonne's review against another edition
1.0
A flashback tale of Adelaide Abraham, a spoiled, rich, New England girl, who falls under the care of Louise, her Carribean nanny. One part shows young Addy, full mental trouble, with her parents in a dysfunctional marriage. The other takes Addy to Louise's island home for her funeral, forcing her to meet Louise's family and come to terms with her upbringing.
I picked this book up hoping it would be more akin to "Gloria" by Maillard and instead it was more like the bad Whoppi Goldberg movie, "Clara's Heart". Bad character development, bad emphasis on the Caribbean accent and absolutely no resolution to any questions, making the reader question, "why did I keep going when there is no payoff?" The cover is the best part of this book.
I picked this book up hoping it would be more akin to "Gloria" by Maillard and instead it was more like the bad Whoppi Goldberg movie, "Clara's Heart". Bad character development, bad emphasis on the Caribbean accent and absolutely no resolution to any questions, making the reader question, "why did I keep going when there is no payoff?" The cover is the best part of this book.
maisiesmom's review against another edition
2.0
Disapointed, it was on my "to read" list since it came out, and then was not what I hoped.
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