Scan barcode
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
What a delightful book - although I did wish for a happier ending. The characters are quirky and vulnerable, crabby and kind, headstrong and impossible. Very human in the mix of good and bad traits.
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
4.0
I don't remember where I read about this Pulitzer Prize winning book from a couple decades ago. The writing was great. The characters were really interesting, and mostly believable. But, it really never grabbed me until the VERY end.
heeeheeeheeee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It was only decent at the end, I hated everyone viscerally. Still don't understand how this got the pulitzer.
ullagd's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pattiillbee11's review against another edition
3.0
I kept falling asleep reading this book. Maybe I never connected with the characters- was that the point?
choyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is the second Alison Lurie book I’ve finished, and I must say, she is an incredible writer. Her characters are both lovable and, in contrast, punchable, bringing her stories to life with vivid imagery. While the details may sometimes be extensive, they serve the intentional purpose of weaving an amalgamation of different characters’ internal monologues in this book. The pacing is phenomenal, alternating between the two main characters’ points of view, preventing monotony in the chronological narrative. Chapter One introduces Vinnie Miner, Chapter Two starts with Fred Turner, and so forth, creating a non-linear, episodic fashion that provides glimpses of each character’s scenes during their England excursions (albeit, their so-called excursions can range from dreadfully mundane to uncomfortably erotic).
I wouldn’t say this book is life-changing or even a book that you can’t put down (like my first Alison Lurie novel), but it was damn sure entertaining and enjoyable whenever I had the time to pick back up where I left off. I’d rate this book 4.5/5 for its solid animated writing and characters—rounding it up to 5 stars.
*also, there’s a insane plot twist that had me literally floored lol*
I wouldn’t say this book is life-changing or even a book that you can’t put down (like my first Alison Lurie novel), but it was damn sure entertaining and enjoyable whenever I had the time to pick back up where I left off. I’d rate this book 4.5/5 for its solid animated writing and characters—rounding it up to 5 stars.
*also, there’s a insane plot twist that had me literally floored lol*
wsk56's review against another edition
3.0
This 1985 Pulizer Prize winning novel tells the story of two American academics in London. Both are in England to work and both find themselves involved in romantic entanglements. Vinnie Miner, a lonely professor in her 50's who feels more at home in England than America, has an unlikely affair with a large, brash Oklahoman that dresses like a cowboy. She is embarrassed by him, yet falls in love despite herself. Fred Turner, whose marriage is on the rocks, falls for a British actress who is not quite what she seems. The results of these affairs are life-altering for these characters, while at the same time providing some comic moments for the reader. Lurie is imaginative; her writing is smart and witty. Her characters, both major and minor, are interesting and well-developed. While I enjoyed reading this book, I don't think it is worthy of a Pulitzer.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very soothing, and for the first time made me want to visit genteel London. Vinnie and Fred's fortunes were at opposites - where one rose the other fell - and I was kind of sad at how the scales were tipping at the end. Does the pretty boy always need to be hopeful? Couldn't Vinny have been left with love? But, I've added more Alison Lurie to my to-read list.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book two or three years ago and what I remember most vividly about it is that Vinnie is followed around by an imaginary dog that represents her self-image (or something like that).
I'm reading Lorrie Moore's [b:Birds of America|19631|Birds of America Stories|Lorrie Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223320940s/19631.jpg|1769] right now and so I decided to look up her bio and found out she was taught by Alison Lurie at Cornell. I was like, Where do I know that name? And then I remembered that I read this back when I had this crazy idea that I would read every Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
I'm reading Lorrie Moore's [b:Birds of America|19631|Birds of America Stories|Lorrie Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223320940s/19631.jpg|1769] right now and so I decided to look up her bio and found out she was taught by Alison Lurie at Cornell. I was like, Where do I know that name? And then I remembered that I read this back when I had this crazy idea that I would read every Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
drewmoody321's review against another edition
4.0
Read my full review here: http://thepulitzerblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/entry-37-foreign-affairs-by-alison-lurie-1985/