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lvw22's review against another edition
4.0
I kind of loved this multi-generational novel stuffed full of unusual characters and a completely unique plot line.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Erica and Jo. Read Erica's review on the Cook Memorial Public Library blog, Shelf Life: https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2019/04/02/ericas-pick-of-the-week-bowlaway/
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbowlaway%20mccracken__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbowlaway%20mccracken__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
debbiecuddy's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky, yet compelling, this book was full of strange characters and lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed the characters in the first part of the book and wanted to read more about them. As the story moved on to the next generations, I found the characters to be less interesting...I kept thinking back to Bertha and her friends. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
suzannacaldwell's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
wahooemma's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Ok, not a great read. Sort of wacky and mysterious in a way? I didn’t really love any of the characters so felt hard to get through
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
McCracken's The Giant House is one of my favorite books. Her books are peopled with quirky misfits, but ones who are human and relatable at their core. I went in expecting this to be Bertha's story, and it is, but she is also the prime motivator for the rest of the stories that McCraken tells. This is as much a story of a small town and people's ability (or lack of) to free themselves from the stories that small town tells about them.
Recommended for literary fiction fans who appreciate quirky characters and pitch-perfect storyelling.
Recommended for literary fiction fans who appreciate quirky characters and pitch-perfect storyelling.
ahartwic's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm. This has a sort of panoramic, 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon (or in this case, 6 degrees of bowling alley) type narrative structure that reminds me of Fannie Flagg's books. And there are some moments of clarity and humor and poignancy, but they are buried in so much nonsense that I'm not sure it is worth the effort. I kept reading because I was waiting for it to convince me I was reading for a reason, and I don't think it ever did.
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
I reviewed this for my ALA Annual 2018 Booklist Read ’N’ Rave Panel. Details: http://raforall.blogspot.com/2018/06/ra-for-all-roadshow-visited-ala-annual.html