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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
More sad families. I loved The Gathering and I expected to enjoy this a lot more than I actually did. I feel like it lacked emotional depth and while some sections worked the rest was a contrived mess.
2.5/5
2.5/5
Unfortunately it was a character study where none of the characters particularly grabbed me.
*3.5*
I love Irish literature. There were moments when the language and the story pulled me in so deeply I was certain I was reading a masterpiece. The other parts, not so much. The first part and the second part were like different novels. This might have served to enhance the effects of the disjointed and distanced family, but it didn't work for me in this case.
There is a 100% chance I will reread this.
I love Irish literature. There were moments when the language and the story pulled me in so deeply I was certain I was reading a masterpiece. The other parts, not so much. The first part and the second part were like different novels. This might have served to enhance the effects of the disjointed and distanced family, but it didn't work for me in this case.
There is a 100% chance I will reread this.
This book was totally not what I expected it to be.
I'm sorry but for me the story seems boring, like nothing really happens and the "last feast" which sounds like a big event, felt so ... small and not relevant in the end. For me it was hard to read, the narration and pacing wasn't for me.
Plus the way gays are represented and described in the book - at least in chapter 2 - ... I don't know, man, seems a bit stereotypical
I'm sorry but for me the story seems boring, like nothing really happens and the "last feast" which sounds like a big event, felt so ... small and not relevant in the end. For me it was hard to read, the narration and pacing wasn't for me.
Plus the way gays are represented and described in the book - at least in chapter 2 - ... I don't know, man, seems a bit stereotypical
This was a great read which gave an insight into the life of the Madigan family, living in rural County Clare. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this novel, as we learn more about each individual family member and how they've grown and changed over time. Overall, I found this an enjoyable read with an engaging narrative and complex characters.
I love a good family saga and even more so if it is set in Ireland. This book reminded me a little of early Maeve Binchy but with slightly more in depth writing. I loved getting to know the characters - the 4 siblings were so different but I could see them all fitting together as a family. My favourite characters were Constance, the downtrodden mother of 3 and Dan, the light of Mother Rosaleen's eye. I didn't find this book a quick read but it was well worth investing the time. Constance is a character that I can imagine a lot of daughters identifying with. I had already read a review where the reviewer says how much they liked the character of Rosalyn. Really interesting how different people see different things in a book. She got on my nerves a bit, I will admit!
This was not a perfect book though. I found my mind wondering a little at times. I found the introductory chapter a touch long winded but as soon as the book started looking at Dan's world, I was hooked. Emmet was my least favourite character - I'm still not sure I completely understand him. He was not a likeable character. I also would have liked a little more of Hanna - I felt she was a bit of an after thought. I would have liked more about how the rest of the family felt towards her.
The events of Christmas Day were a bit predictable, if I'm honest too. Why does everything always have to happen on Christmas Day. I sometimes feel this could be laziness on the part of authors/programme writers - It would be much harder to weave a story into say, the 23rd December or 3rd January for example. I do understand that the point is to highlight the loneliness that Christmas can bring out in people though.
This was not a perfect book though. I found my mind wondering a little at times. I found the introductory chapter a touch long winded but as soon as the book started looking at Dan's world, I was hooked. Emmet was my least favourite character - I'm still not sure I completely understand him. He was not a likeable character. I also would have liked a little more of Hanna - I felt she was a bit of an after thought. I would have liked more about how the rest of the family felt towards her.
The events of Christmas Day were a bit predictable, if I'm honest too. Why does everything always have to happen on Christmas Day. I sometimes feel this could be laziness on the part of authors/programme writers - It would be much harder to weave a story into say, the 23rd December or 3rd January for example. I do understand that the point is to highlight the loneliness that Christmas can bring out in people though.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This felt so much like The Gathering—and I preferred that one.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Green Road follows the Madigan family as they scatter from their home in Co. Clare. We follow the whole family over a number of years and then see them come back together when their mother decides to sell the house.
What makes this book so disappointing is that it held so much promise.
My main critique is that I never cared for the characters at all. I couldn’t tell you a single thing about any of them. It wasn’t the writing that kept them at arms length for me but the way the novel was structured. In the beginning, each chapter follows one of the Madigan siblings. But by the time you’ve caught a glimpse into one of their lives you move on to a different one.
The only thing that kept me from giving this one star instead of two was just how Irish it is. I am completely biased but recognising the places mentioned and the way the characters communicated felt comforting to me. At least this book reminded me I need to read more Irish literature.
What makes this book so disappointing is that it held so much promise.
My main critique is that I never cared for the characters at all. I couldn’t tell you a single thing about any of them. It wasn’t the writing that kept them at arms length for me but the way the novel was structured. In the beginning, each chapter follows one of the Madigan siblings. But by the time you’ve caught a glimpse into one of their lives you move on to a different one.
The only thing that kept me from giving this one star instead of two was just how Irish it is. I am completely biased but recognising the places mentioned and the way the characters communicated felt comforting to me. At least this book reminded me I need to read more Irish literature.
The Green Road was long listed for Man Booker Price 2015 and I have to say that the nomination lured me into picking up the book. The novel follows Rosaleen Madigan and her four children who live around the world and feel unconnected with each other. The story starts when the mother announces that she is going to sell the house where all the children were born and brought up. She gives ultimatum; this is the last Christmas in their childhood home. The children gather together first time in ages and this gathering reveals a lot about the relationship between them and towards their mother. I find it really hard to describe what I felt about the writing style. At some points it felt like the book was just little vignettes about each children's lives and that was what I liked about books. However, sometimes the writing style felt a bit of out of place and it took the enjoyment away. I really enjoyed how you could see tension between each characters; that was the thing that kept me with the story. I feel the book could have been longer because I really wanted to get to know the siblings better and the book felt too short to be able to see through the characters. I did enjoy it however but not as much as I felt in the beginning.
I kept waiting for something to happen, but the twist never materialised and I found that the last third of the book just dragged. That said, it is beautifully written and has so much depth, it just couldn't keep my attention