Scan barcode
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
Liked the characters and the story but the end was kind of disappointing. Could see it as a really good movie.
hatrireads's review against another edition
4.0
Such a beautiful story. I am still in awe of it. I will write more after I complete my book club review ... loved this and recommend to all.
kpjt_books's review against another edition
4.0
Heard about this one from Nancy Pearl on NPR and really enjoyed it. Quirky writing style - some in letters, some as stream of consciousness and some as conversation. Well crafted and enjoyable read. If you enjoy writers like Faulkner (a personal favorite of mine) you will likely enjoy this. Tender characters telling of their intertwined lives.
brontejane's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like it, but just didn't get it. Parts of it (mostly the parts set in the past) were better than others. But overall I was disappointed.
bentsem's review against another edition
5.0
This story was simple and fantastical at the same time. It reminded me of the book The Big Fish. The characters felt so realistic and the story never strayed too far from plausible but one of the title characters is a talking coyote, so there is a definite question of "What is reality?" The book is hopeful and funny yet incredibly deeply sad, there is war and Alzheimer’s and people who are left behind in both. The tough subjects are handled deftly with a little levity and deep affection. I would highly recommend this book.
theconstantreader's review against another edition
5.0
I'm enamoured with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved each of the characters, the way the book was structured and the overall story.
The language in this book is so moving, close to poetic in parts. A highlighters dream.
Each of the interweaving stories between Etta, Otta and Russell are so interesting and so well done. I think Hooper caught the depths and complexities of their individual relationships and circumstances so perfectly. How complex yet absurd life can be. Are we in fact chess pieces in a higher strategy or not? Do we really seek the answer?
When Etta asked "Hey Bryony, what are your stories?", I thought this is something we should all be asking other people.
Oh, and Russell, most of all, I hold a special place in my heart for him. Don't we all?
The language in this book is so moving, close to poetic in parts. A highlighters dream.
Each of the interweaving stories between Etta, Otta and Russell are so interesting and so well done. I think Hooper caught the depths and complexities of their individual relationships and circumstances so perfectly. How complex yet absurd life can be. Are we in fact chess pieces in a higher strategy or not? Do we really seek the answer?
When Etta asked "Hey Bryony, what are your stories?", I thought this is something we should all be asking other people.
Oh, and Russell, most of all, I hold a special place in my heart for him. Don't we all?
ncrozier's review against another edition
3.0
Etta walks across the country to see the ocean. Otto builds paper mache sculptures. Russell follows caribou. And James is just a talking coyote.
I'm not sure how this book ended.
I'm not sure how this book ended.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable audiobook, with compelling characters and storyline. However it wasn't quite the read I had hoped for. I thought for some reason I would like this a lot more then I did but it was bad in my bad for having to high expectations. 3.7 stars. It was a good read overall!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I like this kind of fiction. Time moves slower, the prose is different. It's even jumpy at times. But I need it in my book diet.
But sure it took some getting used to when there were no quotations marks when someone spoke. It's like no one ever spoke in a way. A silent book, that I read fast because the writing was good.
Etta is over 80 and decides she wants to see the ocean so she packs her things and walks. Otto her husband misses her but tries to cook and bake by himself for once. Their neighbor Russel worries for her, and James is a coyote that she becomes friends with.
In between the walking, and Otto trying to cope, there are passages from the past. Otto growing up, meeting Russell. Etta growing up, and meeting them both. Their life in the village, and then the war coming. I did like the images from the past. But I also liked the present, Otto was interesting.
The end was, honestly I am not sure what happened. Was I supposed to figure it out? Or make my own? Or nothing happened? Beats me.
A good book.
But sure it took some getting used to when there were no quotations marks when someone spoke. It's like no one ever spoke in a way. A silent book, that I read fast because the writing was good.
Etta is over 80 and decides she wants to see the ocean so she packs her things and walks. Otto her husband misses her but tries to cook and bake by himself for once. Their neighbor Russel worries for her, and James is a coyote that she becomes friends with.
In between the walking, and Otto trying to cope, there are passages from the past. Otto growing up, meeting Russell. Etta growing up, and meeting them both. Their life in the village, and then the war coming. I did like the images from the past. But I also liked the present, Otto was interesting.
The end was, honestly I am not sure what happened. Was I supposed to figure it out? Or make my own? Or nothing happened? Beats me.
A good book.
gjamamama's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0