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megancmahon's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
Spoilers!
I can't BELIEVE I put off reading this for so long.
This was a delightful cast of characters. Each one leapt right off the page and into my heart. Juliet's warmth and dry humour? Unmatched. Dawsey's shyness? I loved it. ISOLA? There's no parallel. The people of the Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were each distinct and wonderful characters, no easy feat in an epistolary novel, when descriptions are far more difficult. Even characters who were dead, like Elizabeth, had a flavour all their own, and I really felt I knew them.
The ROMANCE. It was wonderful. The end scene, when Juliet asks Dawsey to marry her? I fully gasped. Dawsey's pining was adorable, but I do love and appreciate a woman who seizes the day - every man who pines in silence needs a direct and unflinching woman. Isola's unintended matchmaking was also heartwarming.
I'd also like to say I knew that Reynolds was trouble when he said "you're the only female author who makes me laugh." That is not a compliment, that is an indictment of gender with a "generous" exception.
Anyway. I loved each of the stories about the war and the voice this novel was written in. Mary Ann Shaffer had so much talent as a storyteller and author, and I hope she knows somehow that her vivacious and lovely novel, and all her characters, are lodged firmly in my heart.
I can't BELIEVE I put off reading this for so long.
This was a delightful cast of characters. Each one leapt right off the page and into my heart. Juliet's warmth and dry humour? Unmatched. Dawsey's shyness? I loved it. ISOLA? There's no parallel. The people of the Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were each distinct and wonderful characters, no easy feat in an epistolary novel, when descriptions are far more difficult. Even characters who were dead, like Elizabeth, had a flavour all their own, and I really felt I knew them.
The ROMANCE. It was wonderful. The end scene, when Juliet asks Dawsey to marry her? I fully gasped. Dawsey's pining was adorable, but I do love and appreciate a woman who seizes the day - every man who pines in silence needs a direct and unflinching woman. Isola's unintended matchmaking was also heartwarming.
I'd also like to say I knew that Reynolds was trouble when he said "you're the only female author who makes me laugh." That is not a compliment, that is an indictment of gender with a "generous" exception.
Anyway. I loved each of the stories about the war and the voice this novel was written in. Mary Ann Shaffer had so much talent as a storyteller and author, and I hope she knows somehow that her vivacious and lovely novel, and all her characters, are lodged firmly in my heart.
lucindakate23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
frietje9's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
skaisawa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
soliver13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
buttercupita's review against another edition
3.0
I love Annie Barrows' children's books. This one was very readable, but the good characters were so very good they made my teeth hurt. All the congratulations to readers and bookstore owners made me suspicious that maybe this was more target marketing for a best seller than a well considered plot.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
This is a compilation of fictitious letters written directly after WWII. I read it for a book club and I'm usually not a fan of this style of book, but I completely fell in love with the characters. I was so caught by their story and life that as soon as I'm done with this review I'm looking it up. Maybe we'll go on vacation there, the location sounds lovely.
I definitely recommend it. Easy read with a sweet and touching story.
I definitely recommend it. Easy read with a sweet and touching story.
laurenofgreengables's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5