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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
3.5
A nice, sweet read. Funny and real without being silly.
A nice, sweet read. Funny and real without being silly.
I enjoyed this! As I read, I thought of the many comments that this was "too political." I dunno, folks, it's a story of a family... Some families hate one politician, some love that politician, and some don't care. It was important to this family but not a central part of their story. I enjoyed this family drama, and that it did not go on and on for 700 pages. Love these family members!
Charming, smart and laugh out loud funny. Brava Jennifer Close!!
I really enjoyed this author and would like to read more of her work. This is about a Chicago restaurant family with lots of interesting characters and storylines. A little depressing at times but also very realistic.
Sullivan's Bar in Chicago is a touchstone for members of the family. Profiled here are Jane, who is falling apart over the 2016 election results and ongoing tension with her husband; Gretchen, who is returning home from NYC after breaking up with her boyfriend and leaving their cover band; Teddy, the frustrated manager at Sullivan's who has broken up with his boyfriend and feels nobody listens to him.
Review:
These kinds of books can be a balm. You go in not expecting great writing or deep characterizations, but you live for the dramas (Emily Giffin is a master at this). I've read other books by this author and generally liked what she had to offer, but I didn't think this one had hooks to keep you as engaged and the three main protagonists were all annoying to me.
Review:
These kinds of books can be a balm. You go in not expecting great writing or deep characterizations, but you live for the dramas (Emily Giffin is a master at this). I've read other books by this author and generally liked what she had to offer, but I didn't think this one had hooks to keep you as engaged and the three main protagonists were all annoying to me.
I loved Jennifer Close’s Girls in White Dresses. Her next two books were just ok. This is much more close to the first. A story about a large family who runs a restaurant, it is also a love letter to Chicago. I loved every member of this family, and the way their stories wove together.
emotional
funny
slow-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
This had a very “We are the Brennans” feel - a family navigating their lives as individuals and as a unit and all of the betrayals and petty slights and hurt feelings and hilarious moments that make a family function (or dysfunction).
I loved that this was set in Oak Park (where I live) because it made it extra fun to read and notice the little details. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters specifically, but as an ensemble cast they were great.
And to all the crybabies giving this book a one-star review because the family is freaked out by the orange menace’s election: you are ridiculous.
I loved that this was set in Oak Park (where I live) because it made it extra fun to read and notice the little details. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters specifically, but as an ensemble cast they were great.
And to all the crybabies giving this book a one-star review because the family is freaked out by the orange menace’s election: you are ridiculous.