Reviews

Barbara Isn't Dying by Alina Bronsky

thatgirlearlreads's review

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A book about a grumpy old man who has benefitted from traditional gender roles his whole life. He has to pull himself together and grow a bit after his wife becomes diagnosed with an undisclosed terminal illness.

Walter Schmidt is not a good person: rude, set in his ways, bigot, but Alina Bronksy has a way of making you feel for him slightly through the very subtle changes and challenges for him along the way. The nuance of all the characters from his children to the side characters around town all had such personality and recognized Walter for what he was while also seeing him for what else he is - human. 

Such a turn and knot of emotions with this one. Didn't care for the abrupt ending, but I think I can see why it was done. 

moominpapareads's review against another edition

4.0

Das Ende war mir etwas zu abrupt, aber sonst mochte ich das Buch sehr

smc15's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

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

4.5

kristen4882's review

4.0

I found this story and the characters very relatable - especially the complicated emotions experienced when a loved one has a terminal illness. Life continues in normal day to day tasks but changes as one learns to adjust to a new reality.

shaylag's review

emotional funny medium-paced

4.0

chrissiemwright's review

Grouchy old dude calling everyone fat for 50 pages. Blah

sineofmadness's review

emotional lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

kay_greene's review

emotional inspiring sad fast-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

4.75

bluegrasspam's review

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

mcathreads's review

emotional funny 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

I was sorry to finish this book.  It is focused on how the life of a husband (Walter) changes after 50+ years of marriage when his wife becomes ill.  The author does an excellent job of flushing out supporting characters with brief encounters and memories.  The pieces of the lives fit together well while the lives evolve to fit the circumstances.