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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
One of the best endings to a novel that I've read lately. It's satisfying and shocking all at the same time. Also, it takes a pretty skilled author to make his readers feel sympathetic for a convicted child molester. Great, well-written book.
Little Children takes us into the lives of a group of 30-something parents who all have young children. They live in a sleepy suburban neighborhood. One summer, a convicted child molester moves into the neighborhood and two parents start up an affair. And (as they say) "there goes the neighborhood."
Perrotta is a master of pacing and I love the stories he tells. He slows it down just enough to make it suspenseful without without boring the reader. I will say that the most difficult parts to read dealt with the convicted child molester, I'm a parent of little children myself and I cringed whenever it was his turn in the book. (Perrotta does the storytelling from varying viewpoints in this book). Though I think I had more disdain for the husband who was really into his internet porno fantasy world and the retired cop.
Yes, yes, we know that Perrotta is calling the book 'Little Children' because the parents are all acting like little children. But the characaters he's created are so real and (maybe overly) flawed that it's hard to not believe what they believe while still knowing it's not what it seems - for any of them. But they continue to kid themselves and to deny what we can all see. Or maybe they can see it too.
Perrotta is a master of pacing and I love the stories he tells. He slows it down just enough to make it suspenseful without without boring the reader. I will say that the most difficult parts to read dealt with the convicted child molester, I'm a parent of little children myself and I cringed whenever it was his turn in the book. (Perrotta does the storytelling from varying viewpoints in this book). Though I think I had more disdain for the husband who was really into his internet porno fantasy world and the retired cop.
Yes, yes, we know that Perrotta is calling the book 'Little Children' because the parents are all acting like little children. But the characaters he's created are so real and (maybe overly) flawed that it's hard to not believe what they believe while still knowing it's not what it seems - for any of them. But they continue to kid themselves and to deny what we can all see. Or maybe they can see it too.
One time my friend tried to make fun of me by saying that I was unnecessarily attached to “sad books about people getting divorced,” but do you blame me when they can be this good? Fantastic book and I would recommend the Todd Field film as well.
Yup 100p this one. Perrotta is hilarious and gets into people’s head in a way that relatable and generous.
I found this novel to be a fast read and was completely engaged. I am always amazed with Perotta's ability to weave humour and angst so compellingly.
Perrotta got it just right in this expertly written examination of suburban ennui and disillusionment. Little Children focuses on some young married-with-children couples and how they interact with each other, in both private and public ways. It's sometimes uncomfortable and a touch sad, and that's what makes it so great--there's real truth here. Scenes at a public pool work especially well to highlight the "suburbanness" of these characters' lives. Anyone who's ever wondered, "This is it?" when pondering their mundane lives may find Little Children quite resonant.
challenging
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
not an exemplar of fine literature or craft by any stretch of the imagination but very readable even though i think perrotta is probably unbearable as a person. doesn't know how to write older women and probably women in general. ridiculous subplot concerning sex work - it's never been so fun!
extra star for thomas and the magic railroad mention because that was a significant part of my growing up & it was actually very gratifying seeing someone note the jarring tonal shifts and directorial choices in an obscure children's movie
extra star for thomas and the magic railroad mention because that was a significant part of my growing up & it was actually very gratifying seeing someone note the jarring tonal shifts and directorial choices in an obscure children's movie