Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
A book like this is the reason I read. An incredible story of a single life and, in that one life, the world. At times, I was reminded of the best moments of Kent Haruf. And to think I almost didn’t read this one!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An ordinary life in 160 pages that can be read in a day. And it’s beautifully written.
Lovely story of the life of an ordinary woman.
Rating: 7/10
This reminded me in lots of ways of Stoner by John Williams, only I thought that book had a lot more emotion in it than this one does. This feels more a matter-of-fact unfolding of Zorrie's life. There are emotional moments in it, but the reader feels more held at a distance, and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it as much as Williams' book.
The writing here is really good. Hunt can definitely write. There's a subtleness and understatedness to the writing that I know a lot of readers love. I thought Zorrie was a memorable character, but I wanted more emotion from the story.
The book also felt very American to me in a way that feels limiting or clichéd to me at this point. How many stories of hardscrabble hard working lives can come out of AmericaOlive Kitteridge feels like another one)? And why do Americans in particular seem to love them so much? But I suppose I might appreciate that kind of story more if I was American myself. At the same time, just as there are overdone impressions of Ireland, the same is probably true about America, and Hunt's feels like another version of the same thing I've read before.
This reminded me in lots of ways of Stoner by John Williams, only I thought that book had a lot more emotion in it than this one does. This feels more a matter-of-fact unfolding of Zorrie's life. There are emotional moments in it, but the reader feels more held at a distance, and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it as much as Williams' book.
The writing here is really good. Hunt can definitely write. There's a subtleness and understatedness to the writing that I know a lot of readers love. I thought Zorrie was a memorable character, but I wanted more emotion from the story.
The book also felt very American to me in a way that feels limiting or clichéd to me at this point. How many stories of hardscrabble hard working lives can come out of America
This is one of those kind of simple stories that follows a character through her life and is more about really getting to know her than about anything really *happening.* There were moments of really beautiful writing that made me gasp but there were also parts that dragged a bit for me.
a novella length novel that is as kind and strong and generous as the characters that populate it. life-affirming and uplifting.
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very descriptive writing, however very dull! Switched to audio in order to finish.