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duparker's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun memoir. Nothing exciting or thought provoking, but interesting and with reading. I especially liked the musing about the 1930's and that while era.
abbycal's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful memoir from a long time editor at the New Yorker. Great slice of life from the early 20th century NYC and life as the stepson of EB White.
queenofmylife_14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
quietjenn's review against another edition
5.0
I never knew how much I needed a only-occasionally-grumpy old man to meander through ruminations of his very interesting life until I downloaded this on a whim and mostly commute read it. I sort of adore Angell now.
knitter22's review against another edition
4.0
As the son of The New Yorker editor Katharine White and stepson of E.B. White, it was easy for me to think that Roger Angell came by his writing ability through both heredity and environment, but even if those are true, it's evident that he has practiced and honed his craft. His writing is clear, concise, insightful, funny, poignant, and enlightening. I am not personally a big sports fan, but his love of baseball comes through and showed me that there is much more to the game than grown men hitting and throwing a ball.
Angell writes about more than baseball, and his reminiscences are interesting and honest.
Angell writes about more than baseball, and his reminiscences are interesting and honest.
I've had a life sheltered by privilege, and engrossing work, and shot through with good luck.Even if his life is markedly different from mine, this memoir contains much that is familiar to each one of us. The last essay “Hard Lines", about the loss of loved ones was especially moving to me.
Life is tough and brimming with loss, and the most we can do about it is to glimpse ourselves clear now and then, and find out what we feel about familiar scenes and recurring faces this time around.Let Me Finish was the perfect book at the perfect time, and a welcome escape from politics, upheaval, and worry to a kinder, gentler world. Thank you, Melissa!
stevendedalus's review against another edition
5.0
I'm convinced that it's impossible for Roger Angell to write anything that isn't completely charming. Only he could make a series of biographical essays about growing up in a WASPy patrician family seem so relatable and engaging.
Angell's narrative voice is unforced and friendly, achieving a "fireside chat" level of conversational intimacy. He is frequently funny, wry, and self-deprecating and the way he achieves the book's tone of an old man reflecting on his life is remarkable.
The book doesn't seek life's great mysteries, nor is it especially probing. But its frank reflection on an intimate circle of 20th-century lives is a remarkable encapsulation of an era.
Angell's narrative voice is unforced and friendly, achieving a "fireside chat" level of conversational intimacy. He is frequently funny, wry, and self-deprecating and the way he achieves the book's tone of an old man reflecting on his life is remarkable.
The book doesn't seek life's great mysteries, nor is it especially probing. But its frank reflection on an intimate circle of 20th-century lives is a remarkable encapsulation of an era.
giovannnaz's review against another edition
5.0
Let's see...we've got thoughtful stories about (among other things) baseball, parents and children; touring France after WWII, E.B. White, William Maxwell, martinis, friendships, and Emily Hahn (must add her books to my list). I just talked myself up to 5 stars.
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