Reviews

The Red Thread by Ann Hood

somanybookstoread's review against another edition

3.0

This stands out as my least favorite Ann Hood novel to date. It just wasn't as literary as The Knitting Circle, Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine, or The Obituary Writer. And it wasn't as poignant as Comfort: A Journey through Grief. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big Ann Hood fan, so this book was still "good" -- probably 3.5 stars good -- but for this reader it isn't on the same plane as her other work. The characters here didn't all ring true for me and the protagonist wasn't as likable as other Ann Hood protagonists.

Additionally, it is remarkable to me just how many novels Ann Hood can write with the consistent central story line of losing a child. At least with this one, we end on a more positive note, which I hope (and suspect) is reminiscent of Hood's own personal situation.

libraryladys's review

2.0

I had to buy this book after I read the description: a woman who lost a child decides to open an adoption agency. She shares the story of six couples waiting for their babies.
Obviously, I have a special place in my heart for tales of infertility or adoption. This book, however, sorely misses the mark. I would not recommend it to anyone.

cardinaux's review against another edition

3.0

I finished it because I wanted to see how it turned out but boy what a bunch of unlikable characters. I didn't feel sympathetic towards any of them except Maya.

justlily's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book so much. I save my five stars for whoa-life-changing which I can't quite say about this but I really didn't have any complaints. I loved all the points of view that it offered and the way each story wove together.

But wow, if you have baby fever in the slightest, stay away. Your uterus will try to kill you by the end of this thing.

katharinem's review

4.0

I read this book after it was recommended to me by my mother. She and I had been discussing my husband's cousin who had recently been adopted from China. This little girl has albinism, and we think that may have been a factor in her being abandoned (that, and being a girl). Reading this and what some families went through in not only adopting children and the process to get there, as well as what people went through in leaving their children, gave me a whole new appreciation for everyone involved in these situations. I've always wanted to adopt a child, but now more than ever, I want to give a child a home that they may not have otherwise been able to have. Touching stories.

imabima's review

4.0

I thought this was a sweet book, a really good look at the adoption process and the stress and joy it can cause a family...i liked it.

wisbeth's review

4.0

At first I found the book a bit hard to follow. There are so many characters introduced in a short period of time. After I got used to the rhythm of the story I was able to follow along without any troubles. The story is about 6 couples who are seeking adoption from The Red Thread Adoption Agency run by Maya. Maya opened the agency after losing her own daughter in a tragic accident. The book follows what the adoptive couples go through and also follows the story of the Chinese birth mothers and what they are going through. The adoptive couples are a wide array of characters, some not so great. I could feel the pain of the birth mothers as they struggled with their decisions. I liked Maya and felt sorry for her. It kind of seemed like torture to bring babies into the lives of others after she has lost her own daughter. I liked this book alot and how it showed both sides of the story. I liked the idea that an invisible red thread connects people that are destined to be together. Once I was acquainted with all of the characters, I zipped right through the book.

catladylover94's review against another edition

5.0

really good

ladynutbarreads's review

5.0

This book was lovely and heartbreaking all at the same time.

The fact that these precious little girls are abandoned...because of their gender is just hearbreaking...I know it is a work of fiction but I also know this stuff does go on. Baby girls are abandoned every single day. Only the precious few find new homes...

The stories of the couple also bugged me...some were so selfish and self centered it is almost like they DON'T deserve babies. The things they did to themselves and each other...bah...

all in all a good read, a sappy happy ending...but a good read.

quinn2023's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.75