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hurrrae's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
for all that this book had going for it, it managed to accomplish nothing
jdfrankenfield's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rosieryel's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
i liked the writing style a lot and it managed to teeter on the edge of being too confusing with the large ensemble and switching povs without falling off… i do wish slightly more had actually happened in terms of a plot or development of characters/relationships - i think it sucked me in effectively and got me thinking while i was reading it but it might not stick with me long term
librar_bee's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 stars. Parts of this novel were standout, entirely 5-star material. Taylor's character development skills is a master lesson in creativity, and I adored the subtle class commentary that hovered among the different artists and workers profiled in Iowa City. This is an excellent novel that describes what it means to be a creative, a lover, and a human in the modern American age without ever explicitly addressing the question.
The pacing was incredibly off. Seamus disappears halfway through the book, as does Fyodor. Fatima, a prominent mention in the book description, is barely addressed until the end, and the focal point of her narrative is a sexual assault. Bea, a character on the outskirts, is mentioned once towards the end and never again in connection with the characters. The cabin subplot begins in the last 50 pages and doesn't serve as a climax. This novel would have been better with rotating narratives the way it began with Seamus and Fyodor.
The pacing was incredibly off. Seamus disappears halfway through the book, as does Fyodor. Fatima, a prominent mention in the book description, is barely addressed until the end, and the focal point of her narrative is a sexual assault. Bea, a character on the outskirts, is mentioned once towards the end and never again in connection with the characters. The cabin subplot begins in the last 50 pages and doesn't serve as a climax. This novel would have been better with rotating narratives the way it began with Seamus and Fyodor.
joesb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
madsalads01's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0