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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Lynette lives in Portland and does everything she can to buy a house as more and more is gentrified. Story of what she'll do to have a home and how her relationship with her mom has defined her
Portland is also a character. Misery, frenetic action (think Pulp Fiction weirdness) then resolution, acceptance.
3.5 stars! A really good read - fast-paced, gripping, and very “real,” for lack of a better word. My main issue was that Lynette felt so much younger than she was supposed to be - I believe she was 30, but in my head she was maybe 22. I don’t know if it was because of her voice, or because of the decisions she makes…either way, it doesn’t really matter but her age felt a little off. Regardless, this was an intense story, told over the course of one and a night…a good read if you’re looking for a page-turner that’s not simplistic :).
Vivid and heartbreaking account of people priced out of a place they've called home, and the struggles of low-income Americans to grasp some version of the American Dream. Will make for an engaging discussion for book groups.
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Night Always Comes" is an engaging, fast-paced read that I found myself really drawn into. The exploration of mental illness and its impact on relationships hit close to home, and I could empathize deeply with both Lynette and her mother. The depiction of resentment—working tirelessly while watching others live out your dreams—was painfully relatable and well-done.
However, I had mixed feelings about certain aspects. The frequent references to the mother as a "fatso" felt excessive and unnecessary, detracting from the depth of the story. Additionally, while I understand that Lynette's experiences with sexual trauma were meant to highlight her struggles, the way it was handled felt heavy-handed—almost as though the narrative relied too much on it to justify her pain.
That said, the book’s intensity and raw portrayal of human emotion kept me turning the pages. While not perfect, it was a quick, impactful read that resonated in unexpected ways.
However, I had mixed feelings about certain aspects. The frequent references to the mother as a "fatso" felt excessive and unnecessary, detracting from the depth of the story. Additionally, while I understand that Lynette's experiences with sexual trauma were meant to highlight her struggles, the way it was handled felt heavy-handed—almost as though the narrative relied too much on it to justify her pain.
That said, the book’s intensity and raw portrayal of human emotion kept me turning the pages. While not perfect, it was a quick, impactful read that resonated in unexpected ways.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In which all manner of sordid things happen due to the high cost of Portland real estate. Escalates quickly.
I read this in a day. It’s a short novel and the writing flows. Damned be gentrification and damned be the mirage of the American dream.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
slow-paced