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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
A family that you slowly meet and get to know then come together, rather reluctantly for Christmas. Rich characters and a brilliant view of the long stories that drive family relationships and tensions.
A book club assignment. Excellent writing but story felt both heavy & empty at the same time.
Tämä oli ensimmäinen niistä kahdesta kirjasta, jotka tarttuivat mukaani divarista Kilkennyssä. Kirjan ensimmäisessä puoliskossa esitellään kirjan hahmot, jotka ovat neljä aikuista lasta ja heidän äitinsä, niin että jokaiselle heistä on omistettu oma lukunsa. Kerrontatyyli on aika vaivalloista lukea, kun lauseesta toiseen siirryttäessä aika ja paikka saattavat liikkua melko paljon, ja jopa se, kenen silmin tarinaa kerrotaan. Toisessa puoliskossa toimimaton perhe kokoontuu vuosien jälkeen jouluaterialle yhteen, ja siitä tietenkin seuraa kaikenlaista ongelmaa.
Melko kliseinen tarina keskinkertaisesti kerrottuna, mutta Irlannin länsirannikolle sijoittuvat kirjat ovat jotenkin aina lähellä sydäntäni.
Melko kliseinen tarina keskinkertaisesti kerrottuna, mutta Irlannin länsirannikolle sijoittuvat kirjat ovat jotenkin aina lähellä sydäntäni.
emotional
reflective
slow-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
I loved this book. Very Irish but that is a compliment. Excellent characterisations, good story line. Very well read on Audible,
It's been a long time since I read a book where the author wrote so convincingly from different viewpoints and narrators' perspectives. When I first started reading, I was a little put off by the second chapter before I realized what what happening with the change of viewpoint (there is an unexplained "we" who narrates ONLY that one chapter, which still feels a little like an unresolved issue. However, I ultimately found it to be effective).
The story is told by the different Madigans and moves through time. We're given lots of details, daily life for a quick view into each person's life, then whisked away to the next person. This makes much of the first half of the book feel like a short story collection,almost by different authors! Seriously, Enright is great at using different narrative voices and it doesn't feel forced! Amazing!
I'm not a huge fan of the "scattered, damaged family epic" - the genre starts feeling similar after awhile (sorry Tolstoy!) but this one kept my interest. I think because of the changes in narrator and the exquisite, strange details: The mosquito nets Emmet needed in Mali, the way he felt betrayed by excesses at an indulgent airport; an overwhelming, scary foreboding at a doctor's office; a younger sibling's confusion awhen older ones are making unexplained changes.
The story is told by the different Madigans and moves through time. We're given lots of details, daily life for a quick view into each person's life, then whisked away to the next person. This makes much of the first half of the book feel like a short story collection,almost by different authors! Seriously, Enright is great at using different narrative voices and it doesn't feel forced! Amazing!
I'm not a huge fan of the "scattered, damaged family epic" - the genre starts feeling similar after awhile (sorry Tolstoy!) but this one kept my interest. I think because of the changes in narrator and the exquisite, strange details: The mosquito nets Emmet needed in Mali, the way he felt betrayed by excesses at an indulgent airport; an overwhelming, scary foreboding at a doctor's office; a younger sibling's confusion awhen older ones are making unexplained changes.
Ehh I started out thinking I’d like it I like character driven books I think the reason I ended up not liking it is it’s too whiny.. there was nothing endearing to save it in the end I don’t think I’ll read another by her..
The BEST book I have read/listened to this year. So good in fact, I started listening to it a second time as soon as I finished! So many layers, such beautiful prose....What more can I say!
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes