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lorimichelekelley's review against another edition
2.0
Audio edition: This book was so boring! It seemed to me that the author read "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and decided to write one with a female protagonist. It just didn't work for me. The story was mundane and the characters uninteresting - they were just so good. If you've ever read a book written for the Amish, it's kind of like that. There's stuff going on, but everyone is just so peachy clean with feeding the chickens and walking to church, that it just doesn't ring true. I felt like it was telling the story from the viewpoint of a child who just never realized that his parents are real human beings with complicated emotions and moral struggles. If you're into that James Herriot kind of story and wouldn't mind a little magic realism mixed in, you might like it.
krisrrr97's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect this book to be as good as it ended up being. Very nice, gentle, beautiful, with a sad cloud hanging over.
skikatt68's review against another edition
5.0
can't begin to explain how much I liked this book. ...the journey, the connections we make along the way, and how we are shaped because of them.
haia_929's review against another edition
4.0
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
This book was provided by Penguin Canada and Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Etta has never seen the ocean so she leaves in the morning from Saskatchewan and starts walking to Halifax. She leaves behind her husband Otto who stays behind and waits for her return while making papier mache gifts and taking care of a guinea pig. She also leaves behind her husband's best friend, Russell, who follows her across the country to bring her home. She meets many people on her walk, but the one who joins her is James, a coyote. This journey across the country tells the story of 3 people through time and through what's left unsaid.
I was a little unsure about this one to begin with. The story is a little unusual, I didn't really know how Hooper was going to pull it off. But she did. She really, really did. I think the specifics of the plot really fall away compared to the emotion. The emotional journey of this book is really the most important thing. Sure it's interesting that Etta talks to a coyote, but the holding point of this story is the depth of the emotions and the characters' emotional development. It's amazing to read, and so well written it was a breeze, rather than a chore, to read.
I loved Etta, Otto, Russell, and James. They're so well written you really come to know them and care about them. One of the most amazing things is that in such a short book Hooper is able to fully capture the lives of these individuals, without any drawing out of events. Hooper captures moments and the essence of these moments in the individual lives. I loved the characters and I loved sussing out the details of their lives from everything left unsaid.
Now, back to those things left unsaid. The plot leaves out the specifics in many situations. The basic plot outline is there, and the specific emotions are there, but the specific things that happen are often left unsaid. You have to infer a lot of these highly emotional moments. This might turn people off of the book because while it's a breeze to read, it is a little confusing and requires some pretty active reading. I loved that you had to read into the book and actively read the book. It was great, it required effort but it was rewarding.
I highly recommend this book. I think it's a really excellent read, but don't go into it expecting something light. It's definitely something you have to invest time into reading. It's worth it though, beautifully written and very interesting.
This book was provided by Penguin Canada and Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Etta has never seen the ocean so she leaves in the morning from Saskatchewan and starts walking to Halifax. She leaves behind her husband Otto who stays behind and waits for her return while making papier mache gifts and taking care of a guinea pig. She also leaves behind her husband's best friend, Russell, who follows her across the country to bring her home. She meets many people on her walk, but the one who joins her is James, a coyote. This journey across the country tells the story of 3 people through time and through what's left unsaid.
I was a little unsure about this one to begin with. The story is a little unusual, I didn't really know how Hooper was going to pull it off. But she did. She really, really did. I think the specifics of the plot really fall away compared to the emotion. The emotional journey of this book is really the most important thing. Sure it's interesting that Etta talks to a coyote, but the holding point of this story is the depth of the emotions and the characters' emotional development. It's amazing to read, and so well written it was a breeze, rather than a chore, to read.
I loved Etta, Otto, Russell, and James. They're so well written you really come to know them and care about them. One of the most amazing things is that in such a short book Hooper is able to fully capture the lives of these individuals, without any drawing out of events. Hooper captures moments and the essence of these moments in the individual lives. I loved the characters and I loved sussing out the details of their lives from everything left unsaid.
Now, back to those things left unsaid. The plot leaves out the specifics in many situations. The basic plot outline is there, and the specific emotions are there, but the specific things that happen are often left unsaid. You have to infer a lot of these highly emotional moments. This might turn people off of the book because while it's a breeze to read, it is a little confusing and requires some pretty active reading. I loved that you had to read into the book and actively read the book. It was great, it required effort but it was rewarding.
I highly recommend this book. I think it's a really excellent read, but don't go into it expecting something light. It's definitely something you have to invest time into reading. It's worth it though, beautifully written and very interesting.
sheila_p's review against another edition
3.0
I love the characters, there is a tenderness and vulnerability to them that I found immediately endearing. I wish the story didn't flit about so much.
redroofcolleen's review against another edition
4.0
Oh gosh, I loved this story! Love, friendship, yearning, & magic. Magic best of all...
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A 2015 staff favorite recommended by Andrea, who calls it "utterly lovely''. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1076034421?book_show_action=false&page=1
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__SEtta%20and%20Otto%20and%20Russell%20and%20James%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__SEtta%20and%20Otto%20and%20Russell%20and%20James%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
debbiecuddy's review against another edition
2.0
BOTNS bingo-by a Canadian author-While I liked the premise of this book, it just didn't work for me.
dessa's review against another edition
3.0
There's nothing worse than when a really, solidly good book has a mediocre ending.
mtdegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
5.0