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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
In the quest for something fresh and compelling, this author stands out by immersing the reader in the chaotic, relatable life of Lizzie, a young woman juggling motherhood, marriage, caring for her ailing mother, and supporting her brother with drug issues, all while grappling with climate anxiety and political unrest. Working in a university library without a degree, Lizzie is roped into answering letters for a podcast called Hell or High Water, further adding to her overwhelming schedule. The novel's unique structure, composed of snippets of Lizzie's inner monologue, mirrors the way we actually think—short, fragmented thoughts rather than lengthy reflections. This format makes for a quick, engaging read, effectively capturing Lizzie's struggle for balance in her busy life.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel, told as a series of internal thoughts and with wisps of dialogue and scientific or spiritual references, felt both disjointed and fantastically grounded in the human condition. The main character, Lizzie, is a campus librarian. already full of interesting stories and observations from her day-to-day life. She works with a former professor who runs a podcast ostensibly about climate change and social colllapse, and fields questions from listeners. Meanwhile, she is just trying to survive her daily life, caring for and saving her struggling addict brother while trying to hold onto her marriage, trying to teach her young son how to move through a changing, breaking world, and surviving emotionally during/under the chaos and uncertainty of American politics. Does it go anywhere, or mean anything, beyond the pages of wispy thoughts? I'm not yet sure, but this novel felt uncomfortably real and startlingly close to home.
3/5
This is certainly a timely read, as many before me have said, but I’m not sure how I feel about it.
This is certainly a timely read, as many before me have said, but I’m not sure how I feel about it.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Aunque no es la novela que esperaba, ha sido la que necesitaba en este momento: una lectura fácil y satisfactoria. Tiene escenas, diálogos y reflexiones geniales y me he reído en voz alta en varias ocasiones. Está construida a través de breves párrafos que intercalan escenas sobre la vida familiar, laboral y social de la protagonista: una mujer de mediana edad que trabaja como bibliotecaria. Estos párrafos a priori inconexos se interconectan a medida que avanza la lectura por lo que obtenemos la imagen completa de su día a día y relaciones. La historia se beneficia de esta estructura, pues hace que la lectura sea ágil y amena y potencia el interés de lo que de otra forma sería una trama un poco floja y sin dirección concreta.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
challenging
funny