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romcm's review against another edition
5.0
This will rip your heart out. Grapes of Wrath for the kids of today.
devinmzt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sleepmotif's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
momwrex's review against another edition
4.0
Gut wrenching, trauma filled read. Important to follow the "dollars and cents available" chapter headings to keep track of where Henry is in terms of past and present, how closely he is counting pennies.....
The writing is compelling - looking forward to Guanzon's future works.
The writing is compelling - looking forward to Guanzon's future works.
benoddo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
liamhaswings's review against another edition
challenging
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
claudiaslibrarycard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Abundance by Jakob Guanzon is a creatively written, emotional story of Henry and his son living in systemic poverty. Each chapter begins with how much money Henry has on hand, and ends with a credit or debit to that amount. This keeps the perilous nature of poverty top of mind.
I really enjoyed being swept into Henry's world which is abundant in so many ways and so scarce in others. I loved how the author deliberately left parts of Henry's identity unrevealed at the beginning of the novel, probably to make him relatable to more readers. There were so many poignant lines in this book, and I especially resonated with the sentiment around being a better, less angry parent than our own parents even when struggles abound.
I highly recommend this one. It's such a great story and a reminder of how our circumstances dictate what options are available to us.
I really enjoyed being swept into Henry's world which is abundant in so many ways and so scarce in others. I loved how the author deliberately left parts of Henry's identity unrevealed at the beginning of the novel, probably to make him relatable to more readers. There were so many poignant lines in this book, and I especially resonated with the sentiment around being a better, less angry parent than our own parents even when struggles abound.
I highly recommend this one. It's such a great story and a reminder of how our circumstances dictate what options are available to us.
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
4.0
The precariousness of living in poverty in America through the eyes of one man and his son. A story of one man trying to get his life back on track to make a better life for his kid. Systemic forces and plain bad luck make him into Sisyphus.
The main character struggles with addiction and makes some epically bad decisions, which made him more real to me. I don’t need a story about a person who does everything right. Who among us hasn’t made some self-destructive choices along the way? But the consequences of those choices play out differently when you are on the edges of society.
Regardless of whether you think he deserved some of the outcomes, it’s hard to place the impact on “personal responsibility” when you see his son needlessly suffer. It’s hard to blame a 7-year old for living in poverty.
The main character struggles with addiction and makes some epically bad decisions, which made him more real to me. I don’t need a story about a person who does everything right. Who among us hasn’t made some self-destructive choices along the way? But the consequences of those choices play out differently when you are on the edges of society.
Regardless of whether you think he deserved some of the outcomes, it’s hard to place the impact on “personal responsibility” when you see his son needlessly suffer. It’s hard to blame a 7-year old for living in poverty.
caseyjayner's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant in its ugliness and the way it’s written so plainly but put together so artfully that you’re really placed into the center of it. Not the most enjoyable read, but that’s just one of the things to like about it