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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
What a wonderful discovery—the Irish novelist Anne Enright! I heard a talk she gave that I found among the London Review of Books podcasts. It was called “Adam and Eve and the Origin of Blame”. I have listened to it twice, appreciating the ideas and the wry wit of Enright’s delivery. That same wit is sewn throughout The Green Road.
This tale of a family, a matriarch and her four children, is funny and sad. Enright portrays the individuals acutely; they all lived vividly for me, coherent and unique. I thought the interactions among them were especially believable and the book became harder and harder to put down as it arrived at its conclusion.
This tale of a family, a matriarch and her four children, is funny and sad. Enright portrays the individuals acutely; they all lived vividly for me, coherent and unique. I thought the interactions among them were especially believable and the book became harder and harder to put down as it arrived at its conclusion.
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
Slow burning look at family connections.
I am a sucker for Irish familial dramas, and this one does not disappoint. Beautifully written, topical, authentic and full of interesting and interested characters, this novel is one of the best I've read this year. The Green Road is an epic, sprawling family legacy that spans thirty years and three continents. It follows the Madigan family, Rosaleen and her 4 children, as they navigate life and love in Ireland, New York and West Africa.
I would give it 3 1/2 stars if that was an option. Much of the writing, particularly the description, was excellent. I sometimes found the mundane detail of the characters' lives tedious. However, the ending was skillfully developed & evocative.
Anne has done it again! Absolutely loved this book! One of my all time favorite books is The Gathering which won the Man Booker Prize 2007. The Green Road is just as good and I hope is also nominated for the 2015 Man Booker. In the beginning of this book the first four chapters are about each of the four children of the Madrigan family, Hanna in Ireland, Dan in New York, Emmet in Mali and Constance in Ireland living close by to her Mama Rosaleen. The author moves from Ireland to New York then to Mali easily. These chapters give us insight into each of the Madrigan Clan in different times of their lives. The second half of the book is the family together again for Christmas 2005 as Rosaleen has decided to sell the family home, this brings the children all home for an interesting Christmas Day. If you enjoyed The Gathering you will certainly love this book, Anne Enright is a gifted author and now I know why she was selected as the inaugural Laureate for Irish Fiction.
This was a 3.5 stars read for me.
There is no doubt Anne Enright can write and there were some really memorable lines I highlighted about motherhood and families.
There is not much plot to this novel which wasn't the issue for me (but might not be your cup of tea if you are looking for a fast paced read) - and I can't quite put my finger on why this book didn't do more for me.... It just all seemed disjointed somehow. A bit pedestrian but with flashes of brilliance.
That said this was my first novel of hers and I would definitely try others.
There is no doubt Anne Enright can write and there were some really memorable lines I highlighted about motherhood and families.
There is not much plot to this novel which wasn't the issue for me (but might not be your cup of tea if you are looking for a fast paced read) - and I can't quite put my finger on why this book didn't do more for me.... It just all seemed disjointed somehow. A bit pedestrian but with flashes of brilliance.
That said this was my first novel of hers and I would definitely try others.
this novel reads like a contemporary, edgy Maeve Binchy Loved it!!
Four Irish siblings come back to their mother when she’s dying. Heartbreaking and raw.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Easily one of my favorite Enright books (second only to The Gathering!) and a deceptively fast read. I really enjoy this book, although I will say it seems more a meditation on people who don't really change (especially not for the better) throughout life rather than one which showcases character development. While I find this really interesting personally, it can lead to some frustration when reading.
I received a galley copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Anne Enright writes so beautifully that I found myself taking my time with this one, reading a chapter every few nights while I read other things during the day. Perhaps because of that or perhaps because of more personal reasons, I had more trouble connecting the pieces of this story than I did with the other books I've read by her. I was halfway finished with the book before I could explain to you how anything fit together. That said, I almost didn't mind, I was enjoying the atmosphere Enright's prose created so much. I'd give her five stars for the writing, three for the plot, but I suppose that averages out to four.
Anne Enright writes so beautifully that I found myself taking my time with this one, reading a chapter every few nights while I read other things during the day. Perhaps because of that or perhaps because of more personal reasons, I had more trouble connecting the pieces of this story than I did with the other books I've read by her. I was halfway finished with the book before I could explain to you how anything fit together. That said, I almost didn't mind, I was enjoying the atmosphere Enright's prose created so much. I'd give her five stars for the writing, three for the plot, but I suppose that averages out to four.