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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Written like a love letter to Midwest ladies of a certain age. The love of food, community, and family really shines through this book, and the drama, while it isn't too earth-shattering keeps your attention to see how it resolves. The pacing is slow and leisurely, much like a late fall evening around the bonfire.
It was a cute story, I love reading stories about community and food, and it did touch on some tough topics, but also the religious aspect just seemed like a nice way to add character depth right until the end when suddenly it felt more like an agenda which was weird. But still overall enjoyed it and it was a good plane read
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
How dang cute. I live in Wisconsin and I could picture so much of this book. A handful of touching and relevant topics were covered in this novel. You could feel the love that poured out of these characters. I feel the need to make a casserole. Or maybe a pie.
The cover and marketing copy led me to believe this was a cozy, heartwarming story about a group of older women coming together to raise money via a cookbook.
I desperately wanted to love this small town story set in Northern Wisconsin. Unfortunately it was much heavier than expected with so many subplots and eye-roll inducing WI stereotypes that I should have DNFd.
Started in print and set it aside. Tried again on audio.
I desperately wanted to love this small town story set in Northern Wisconsin. Unfortunately it was much heavier than expected with so many subplots and eye-roll inducing WI stereotypes that I should have DNFd.
Started in print and set it aside. Tried again on audio.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very religious and republican
I would classify The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County as Up-Lit (uplifting literature) as it is a sweet, cozy tale but also tackles some darker and more serious issues. There were some things that irked me about the plot, but the colorful cast of characters and a focus on food as comfort for the soul, this is a great, short read and palate cleanser. 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
This book touches on the themes of gun violence, PTSD, domestic violence, emotional abuse, death, cancer, and alcoholism which may be triggering for some readers.
When I started this book, I’ll admit I fell in the majority and thought it was going to be a feel good novel about some elderly women who create a cookbook as a sweet fundraiser. However, THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY was so much more than that.
Swinarski did a masterful job of weaving together the stories of three generations of a loving family and two generations of a broken one. The underlying message of devotion and sacrifice was beautifully told through the parallel of Ester and Iris’ relationships, as well as the idea of breaking an abuse cycle.
This book was funny, touching, tear-jerking, and uplifting– and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the importance of community and the perseverance of love.
This book touches on the themes of gun violence, PTSD, domestic violence, emotional abuse, death, cancer, and alcoholism which may be triggering for some readers.
When I started this book, I’ll admit I fell in the majority and thought it was going to be a feel good novel about some elderly women who create a cookbook as a sweet fundraiser. However, THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY was so much more than that.
Swinarski did a masterful job of weaving together the stories of three generations of a loving family and two generations of a broken one. The underlying message of devotion and sacrifice was beautifully told through the parallel of Ester and Iris’ relationships, as well as the idea of breaking an abuse cycle.
This book was funny, touching, tear-jerking, and uplifting– and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the importance of community and the perseverance of love.