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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Puzzled by the second chapter (who is the we - whose perspective is this?). A good read that made for an interesting reading group discussion.
I did not love this book. I read and listened. I loved the Irish accents, but I think that’s the last thing I loved. Ah well. They can’t all be winners.
I plan to video-review this one so I'll hopefully come back and fill in a written review soon. I really, really enjoyed this read. I can stand a distance away and note that 1- it wouldn't be for everyone and 2- a couple of the sections were a bit too slow, but I loved the overall story and effect.
There is a quote that came in the very last pages of the book which made me giggle because it captured the entire story perfectly: So many things had happened in this place, and nothing much happened. If you aren't the type that likes slow, weaving stories, things that don't GO anywhere, but rather, just paint pictures, stories that just ARE, chances are you'll struggle with this. Everything happened, nothing much happened, but it was obviously purposely so and I found it riveting and beautifully written.
Full review to come.
There is a quote that came in the very last pages of the book which made me giggle because it captured the entire story perfectly: So many things had happened in this place, and nothing much happened. If you aren't the type that likes slow, weaving stories, things that don't GO anywhere, but rather, just paint pictures, stories that just ARE, chances are you'll struggle with this. Everything happened, nothing much happened, but it was obviously purposely so and I found it riveting and beautifully written.
Full review to come.
This was a very quiet sort of novel. There seemed to me a lot left unsaid, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Elegantly written but seemed to me more a collection of connected short stories with small overlapping chapters. The Rosaleen character hit close to home for me-reminded me quite a lot of my own mother. The quality of the writing is sufficiently worthy of 4 stars.
I recently went to see Anne Enright speak when she came to my university. She’s one of those authors who I just know I’d be best friends with. Is that weird? Probably. Oh well. Anyway, The Green Road (2015) is Enright’s sixth and latest novel. The novel is half-narrative/half-vignettes. The first half of the novel is concerned with vignettes that narrate the lives of the members of the Madigan family as they lead their diasporic lives in the late 20th century. The second half sees all the siblings return home for Christmas to see their aggressively Irish mother. The novel is… brilliant. If we need any proof that we are currently going through a second Irish Literary Revival then it is all here, plastered over the pages of The Green Road. I already know that this is going to be one of my favourite novels of the year and it’s only March. Anne Enright has a way of writing that grabs you even if she is only describing a sugar bowl. But, my god, it’s going to be the best sugar bowl you’ve ever read about.
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
This book made me cry on the Central Line to Ealing Broadway, on the N199 bus to Bermondsey, in Bar Termini on Old Compton Street. This book made me want to call my mother midway through Rosaleen's chapter, made me want to run away to New York, made me miss my family in Roscommon, Ireland, made me feel the bitter wind of an Atlantic gale. I'm not trying to sound pretentious (although I'm certain that's how this sounds so far), I just can't express with great articulation how powerful this book tugged at emotions. You will leave this book longing profoundly for family who are just around the corner or at the end of a telephone call.
I don't like giving low stars (2 stars = it's ok) but for some reason, this book just didn't really work for me. I really liked certain parts, the gay scene in 80s New York chapter and the visit to the hospital chapter were excellent. Once Rosaleen went hiking (unexpected) the story really picked up, but the ending lost me again.
I felt it either needed more to bond the characters to me or would have been better as a shorter story. But I am not a writer and these are just my feelings.
I felt it either needed more to bond the characters to me or would have been better as a shorter story. But I am not a writer and these are just my feelings.
2,5 stars.
I liked some parts and others not so much. I enjoyed the end but the book doesn't leave me with any particular feeling, so yes... "it's OK" / "I liked it"
I liked some parts and others not so much. I enjoyed the end but the book doesn't leave me with any particular feeling, so yes... "it's OK" / "I liked it"