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kippersandjam's review
3.0
beautifully written, demonstrating the complexities of family, of youth, of relationships. quite literary so it felt a bit dense but stick with it!
itsjustkiwi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
ophyjxr's review against another edition
3.0
*audiobook version* some book are not meant for audio books and this is definitely one of it. Croft’s language is masterful as ever, but the vignetteness of it is grating and difficult without images.
cathyw's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A beautiful exploration of a sibling relationship
bnk14's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
The title Homesick, in translator Jennifer Croft’s novel, takes on many meanings and it is worth exploring them as it also helps the reader understand what the book is about.
Essentially, this is a coming of age novel. The book documents the lives of Amy and her younger sister, Zoe. In other words, from A to Z. Early on in the Zoe is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Hence the first example of being sick at home. This leads to the siblings being home educated, with one defining moment where a tutor is asked to come over and teach them Russian and Ukrainian. This leads to another pivotal event which could be caused by another type of sickness.
Eventually Amy, declared a child genius is enrolled in college where the more traditional definition of homesickness occurs at the same time Amy is learning life lessons.
The novel concludes in a heartfelt manner with Amy grown up and reconnecting with Zoe.
Allegedly semi autobiographical and told in vignettes, Homesick is a tale about the power of sibling relationships, both good and bad. Although both sisters are complete opposites they have an unbreakable bond and this is brought out in the novel. There moments of tragedy, other are gently funny and, as stated, the ending is the equivalent of having a hot soup on a cold day. I also appreciated the fact that Jennifer Croft managed to take the coming of age genre and give it a unique spin. The short chapters give the novel a breezy feel but also complexities of Amy and Zoe’s relationship comes out perfectly. My only gripe is that I discovered that the US edition has photographs (as Amy has a polaroid and likes to take pictures) and I think it would have given the Charco edition I have an extra dimension but this is a small quibble as Homesick is an excellent novel.
Essentially, this is a coming of age novel. The book documents the lives of Amy and her younger sister, Zoe. In other words, from A to Z. Early on in the Zoe is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Hence the first example of being sick at home. This leads to the siblings being home educated, with one defining moment where a tutor is asked to come over and teach them Russian and Ukrainian. This leads to another pivotal event which could be caused by another type of sickness.
Eventually Amy, declared a child genius is enrolled in college where the more traditional definition of homesickness occurs at the same time Amy is learning life lessons.
The novel concludes in a heartfelt manner with Amy grown up and reconnecting with Zoe.
Allegedly semi autobiographical and told in vignettes, Homesick is a tale about the power of sibling relationships, both good and bad. Although both sisters are complete opposites they have an unbreakable bond and this is brought out in the novel. There moments of tragedy, other are gently funny and, as stated, the ending is the equivalent of having a hot soup on a cold day. I also appreciated the fact that Jennifer Croft managed to take the coming of age genre and give it a unique spin. The short chapters give the novel a breezy feel but also complexities of Amy and Zoe’s relationship comes out perfectly. My only gripe is that I discovered that the US edition has photographs (as Amy has a polaroid and likes to take pictures) and I think it would have given the Charco edition I have an extra dimension but this is a small quibble as Homesick is an excellent novel.