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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
"The Green Road" by Anne Enright proved a very disappointing read. While the concept of the book - 4 grown-up children return to their hometown in Ireland to spend Christmas with their mother, with each of the characters looking back on a rather tumultuous life - could have made for a splendid novel; it failed to do so. Plain characters and a boring, flat storyline make for a very boring read. A missed opportunity, really, since some of the topics covered (a gay son getting married to a guy, a daughter on the verge of alcoholism, another daughter unhealthily overweight on her way to medical problems…) could have formed the basis for an in-depth, interesting story, but everything remained on the surface. Topics touched upon, yet not explored…. too bad. Found myself reading the last chapters diagonally, which almost never happens…..
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Irish literature, so how is it I've never read Anne Enright? I loved this novel, set in a small Irish coastal town. The first half focuses on each of the four Madigan siblings in turn, providing context for their lives--who left, and who stayed. The second half brings us into the present, when they are reunited at Christmas to discuss with their mother--every inch the Irish family matriarch, head of the dysfunctional family--the possibility of selling the family home. And I thought, of course, this tired old storyline. But in Enright's capable hands, the story is anything but tired. Her observations are clear and true, and her writing is precise, transcendent, reminiscent of Alice Munro. Gorgeous without ever sliding into sentimentality.
4 stars for excellent, atmospheric writing.
You'll need to be in the mood for this family drama taking place at the end of the year in western Ireland. I selected this for my December book club meeting.
You'll need to be in the mood for this family drama taking place at the end of the year in western Ireland. I selected this for my December book club meeting.
reflective
slow-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
Lovely sentence style. Couldn't get attached to the characters.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
And interesting and well-written portrayal of family dynamics, but it sure ends abruptly.
I quite liked the structure: introduce each character in their own chapters then bring them together for the main plotline ultimately separating again as we reach the end. The writing was fine, characters had depth etc...
I just didn't really care about any of the characters or their lives. I got a little bit more involved towards the end, with the vague threat, but that soon dissipated.
I just didn't really care about any of the characters or their lives. I got a little bit more involved towards the end, with the vague threat, but that soon dissipated.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent writing , decided to read this book after reading and enjoying an excerpt from it in "A Very Irish Christmas".
DNF'd because it goes very into detail about illness - specificallycancer and AIDS in a way that I personally found too upsetting to enjoy the book
DNF'd because it goes very into detail about illness - specifically
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness