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leggup's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the writing style and voice but didn't find the story particularly interesting. It's a story of family and forgiveness but they're all so rich and life is so easy.
I would read other books by this author.
I would read other books by this author.
itor's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lydiasheneman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chartje's review
emotional
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
5.0
eyesofcrows's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think this has a nice, pleasant conclusion. It was a tumultuous journey with Danny and Maeve as they live in this house. It was such a ride going through Danny’s life and the sort of codependency that him and his sister shared. So many times i am baffled by the characters and other times I am just as furious as them. It’s a very enjoyable read, though I’m not to recommend it off the bat. It’s the sort of book to be in a mood for. It’s a sad, mellow book with a little hope in the end of the tunnel. The children lived such troubled lives all the way into adulthood.
katieana_210's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
deborahvan3's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
2.5
seymone's review against another edition
3.0
This novel was incredibly sad to me.
The character and plot development was excellent. I did not rate higher, due to Patchett providing too much detail - at times, which slowed down the story pacing.
The character and plot development was excellent. I did not rate higher, due to Patchett providing too much detail - at times, which slowed down the story pacing.
nicolerene's review against another edition
3.0
I’m hesitant to write a review about this book because I have very mixed feelings. I should tell you I listened to it as an audio book and loved Tom Hanks’ narration. However, I was really struggling to finish it by the halfway mark. It is only because the final 1/4 of the book was so good, that I am giving it three stars.
I won’t recount the plot because you can read the description yourself, but I will say that it’s repetitive and a little bit... plodding.
The narrator admits at one point that he wants to be on the forefront of gentrification in NYC neighborhoods and I found that really nauseating. I had trouble feeling sorry for the narrator and his sister’s experience, especially because he had so many more opportunities than the people who lived in his father’s buildings. He earns a medical degree just for spite and then squanders it because he’s privileged and can.
There is a line at the end of the book where the narrator makes a statement similar to, “But this story was always about ________.” Had the story fleshed that perspective out more, then maybe I would have enjoyed it more.
As I said, the end of the book was really good, it just took a really long time to get there and the process was not something I enjoyed.
I won’t recount the plot because you can read the description yourself, but I will say that it’s repetitive and a little bit... plodding.
The narrator admits at one point that he wants to be on the forefront of gentrification in NYC neighborhoods and I found that really nauseating. I had trouble feeling sorry for the narrator and his sister’s experience, especially because he had so many more opportunities than the people who lived in his father’s buildings. He earns a medical degree just for spite and then squanders it because he’s privileged and can.
There is a line at the end of the book where the narrator makes a statement similar to, “But this story was always about ________.” Had the story fleshed that perspective out more, then maybe I would have enjoyed it more.
As I said, the end of the book was really good, it just took a really long time to get there and the process was not something I enjoyed.
sami_petersen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0