Reviews

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich

tlctbr's review

5.0

My mom told me I would love this one, and she was right. I couldn't put it down. I felt connected to every character in the story and was sad when it ended.

cseibs's review

2.0

A bit of a disappointment. Delphine was an uninspiring character, who did not engage in her environment and was too passive for a satisfying central character. The plot, if there was one, meandered without a center. I think Erdrich bit off more than she could work with and gave us too little of too many characters. Also, the title was deceptive, as the story had little to nothing to do with the butchers' singing club. Some elements of the book were enjoyable but the whole was a jumble and fell flat.

atlibrarienne's review

4.0

I'll probably write this one up more in-depth when I have more time and actual keyboard in front of me, but for now, I will just say that this book is excellent. Erdrich has a wonderful ear for language, and for her character's voices. Disparate and unique people, all fiercely individual, converge in a tiny Nebraska town after WWI and together form a fascinating family. This family is composed (and decomposed) by blood, marriage, and outsized love and loyalty. A terrific exploration of the gamut of familial relationships without being the least bit sappy or sentimental.

georgiatheresa's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-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

lisaj40's review

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

janneyf's review against another edition

Best Book of the Year

Louise Erdrich's writing just keeps getting better and better. I hesitate to reveal any details of this book except to recommend to everyone: read this! It's simply beautiful from start to finish.

thesundevourer's review

emotional reflective sad 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

3.0

staciek3's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this story by one of my favorite authors, Louise Erdrich. She has such a way with words that sometimes I'm completely knocked over as she strings words together like a beautiful tapestry. Her characters are always unique and flawed and still you fall in love with them anyway. The romantic tension towards the end between two main characters was so palpable, but then when they finally got together, it felt so anticlimactic that it was a bit of a let down. Good story. Unique story. I've not read one book by Ms Erdrich that I haven't liked yet.

2_leez's review against another edition

5.0

Vibrant writing style, readable yet multi-layered

The Master Butchers Singing Club is captivating story. The writing creates an involved, vibrant picture. The characters are memorable and while I wanted to "know what happens," I was drawn in by the moody, emotional descriptions. A must read.

dongchiot's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25