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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
I'm very confused. The description listed it as "darkly humourous". Now, I love me some dark humor, but nothing about this was funny. I found it incredibly depressing. While it had a clearly well written and authentic voice, the time jumping was very confusing. I couldn't tell who was who between all the time jumps and characters. Seems like it was written as a TV mini series. If it has all been visual, I might have been able to keep it all straight.
It was a vibe. Very slice of life and character driven, so I guess I found myself kinda wondering where it was going, but then again I had a nice time just hopping along with all the mess. Very relatable in terms of grief and relationship issues, too.
Telling your husband you're pregnant because you see a loaf of challah bread and then abandoning him is iconic
For those who enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, this book provides more shocking familial drama if that intrigues you. The author shows us a character who is suffering and trying to figure herself out. Compelling story with inter-racial conflict and a scientific research setting.
challenging
reflective
medium-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
This was an audio read for me, which could be part of my not enjoying it. The narrator takes you through a series of weird decisions she makes and ultimately I felt as confused as her. It’s never explained or at least not in a way that makes sense. There is no real story here other than flashbacks to her family and even that felt strange and incomplete. I’m on a real hot streak of Bookshop.org recommendations that I’ve disliked.
Maybe 3 if we're being generous, but this just didn't come together for me. There's a clear talent behind the writing but the plot and the characters were meandering and unsatisfying.
This had potential but something just didn’t come together. I’m not sure if that’s a lack on my part (my fortunate inexperience with the kind of grief that Chang aims to capture) or of the writing. Great writing builds bridges to realities unknown to the reader. This didn’t get me to the other side though. I’m sat here not coming out of this knowing Eleanor in any real depth but maybe that was the whole point? Just how Eleanor struggles to know her mother? Who knows, not me.
A Quitter's Paradise follows the story of Eleanor and her immigrant family over the years. Eleanor is married to a fellow scientist, pursuing her PhD, and struggling to find her way in the world. She has lost interest in a number of things since her mother died, including getting her doctorate. Luckily her husband runs his own lab at the school, where she becomes his assistant, using her spare time there to conduct her own research. But her grief grows, causing Eleanor to start to want to know more about her mother, especially as she starts the process of going through her mother's home and belongings.
What I truly enjoyed about this novel was it was not just Eleanor's story, it was the story of her mother as well, back to the time before she immigrated to America. This complex family story shows the stresses and strains we all feel on a day to day basis, but it also sheds a light on the immigrant experience and how that can add to those problems even more. Eleanor's memories back to her childhood also highlighted how she became the person she is today and how her own struggles came from that time.
What I truly enjoyed about this novel was it was not just Eleanor's story, it was the story of her mother as well, back to the time before she immigrated to America. This complex family story shows the stresses and strains we all feel on a day to day basis, but it also sheds a light on the immigrant experience and how that can add to those problems even more. Eleanor's memories back to her childhood also highlighted how she became the person she is today and how her own struggles came from that time.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the narrative and found the main character relatable in many ways, but it’s very much a “slice of life” story, a window into a brief period in a characters life and reflections on her family history that in many ways led to it. There’s not much in the way of growth or resolution, but if you don’t go in with those expectations, it’s a tender and introspective read.
reflective
sad
slow-paced