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susanavieira15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookblaster's review against another edition
2.0
Ci sono 200 pagine di troppo.
Ridondante e totale assenza del “show don’t tell.”
Julia è un personaggio così stupido da istigare alla violenza, ma senza di lei non ci sarebbe niente di rilevante da dire su questo libro .
Scrittura senza infamia ma sicuro anche senza lode.
Ridondante e totale assenza del “show don’t tell.”
Julia è un personaggio così stupido da istigare alla violenza, ma senza di lei non ci sarebbe niente di rilevante da dire su questo libro .
Scrittura senza infamia ma sicuro anche senza lode.
zukauskaiteur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vlreid's review against another edition
4.0
This is an intensive family saga, written by the author of Dear Edward. It takes place primarily in Chicago from 1960 through 2008. It focuses on the four Padavano sisters - Julia, Sylvie and the twins Emeline and Cecelia - who are very close in age and who do everything together. Julia meets William at Northwestern, they date and end up marrying soon after. William had grown up in an emotionally vacant household, but he is immediately welcomed into Julia's large and boisterous family.
As the years progress, we learn about the sisters' strengths and weaknesses, their hopes, dreams and realities, their good and bad decisions, and overall their sisterly love. The title refers to how the Padavano father greets each of the girls as they come into a room -- "Hello Beautiful!"
It was a little difficult to get enveloped into the story and to be honest, I thought it was a little long. It also felt like a book set in an earlier time, perhaps the 1940s and 1950s. Content warnings apply.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
As the years progress, we learn about the sisters' strengths and weaknesses, their hopes, dreams and realities, their good and bad decisions, and overall their sisterly love. The title refers to how the Padavano father greets each of the girls as they come into a room -- "Hello Beautiful!"
It was a little difficult to get enveloped into the story and to be honest, I thought it was a little long. It also felt like a book set in an earlier time, perhaps the 1940s and 1950s. Content warnings apply.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
lottabeth's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
savannahlawlor's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
4.0
Beginning was hard to get through, but last half of the book is amazing. One of the most realistic love stories that explores true challenges that are relatable and touching
jensebring's review against another edition
4.0
TOTAL: 3.5 ☆'s
Initial Rating Upon Finishing: 3.65 ☆'s
Likelihood to Recommend: 3 ☆'s
Desire to Read When Not Reading: 3.25 ☆'s
Writing Style: 4.5 ☆'s
Plot/Structiure Engagement: 3.25 ☆'s
Character Likability/Relatability: 3.25 ☆'s
Ann’s writing is so easy to follow and engage with. At times, I found myself rereading very quotable lines and feeling deep empathy for the characters. I shed a few tears at the end. With that being said, I found myself not wanting to read for a good few days near the middle. The plot twists were too predictable for me. I felt very annoyed with some of the characters choices and how they seemed to jump out of nowhere. The juxtaposition between William and Julia’s characters made sense for their relationship journey, but i found myself not liking either of them at times because of the extreme and abrupt decisions they seemed to selfishly make. Either way, I would definitely read this author again.
Initial Rating Upon Finishing: 3.65 ☆'s
Likelihood to Recommend: 3 ☆'s
Desire to Read When Not Reading: 3.25 ☆'s
Writing Style: 4.5 ☆'s
Plot/Structiure Engagement: 3.25 ☆'s
Character Likability/Relatability: 3.25 ☆'s
Ann’s writing is so easy to follow and engage with. At times, I found myself rereading very quotable lines and feeling deep empathy for the characters. I shed a few tears at the end. With that being said, I found myself not wanting to read for a good few days near the middle. The plot twists were too predictable for me. I felt very annoyed with some of the characters choices and how they seemed to jump out of nowhere. The juxtaposition between William and Julia’s characters made sense for their relationship journey, but i found myself not liking either of them at times because of the extreme and abrupt decisions they seemed to selfishly make. Either way, I would definitely read this author again.
chilgeman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
sreader33's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.75
Hello Beautiful is an excellent story of the importance of family, mental health and the difficulties that arise with prejudice and death. I was drawn into the story right away by Napolitano’s vivid writing of the four sisters and William’s childhood as well. As the characters age, their lives become more complicated which leads to the separation of family involving many complex issues. Such a well written story with great character development. I highly recommend this book.