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the_sara_post's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookmadbarlow's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Jack is estranged from his family and has been for a while, but on the day he loses his job in the city he not only rescues a fox, he also receives a phone call saying his mother is missing.
Travelling back home, Jack finds his father struggling with dementia, a sister who is fed up with trying to keep everything together and the same fox, who is also able to communicate with Jack.
This is a quiet book, it is about a fractured family and the relationship between a father who doesn't really understand how to communicate with a son, but maybe through the conduit of the fox, they can learn to become closer.
nessferatu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A bigger emotional story though a small family’s lens. A call to nature and the importance of its careful observation. Shifting first person narratives within a small cast of family members, their pains, memories, and relational distances, but also their bonds and paths of reconnection.
moodybluereads's review
It wasn't what I thought it was from reading the blurb. No hate to the book itself or the author, it just isn't for me.
t_barnett207's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
coramcq's review
3.0
I wasn't a fan of the main character which is never a good start and didn't quite get the talking fox! However it was well written about family connections/disconnections and lots of beautiful writing about nature.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
catriona176's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
mymidnightbooks's review
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.0
nicole_bookmarked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Bobby Palmer's 'Small Hours' is an exploration of family dynamics, nature, and self-discovery, framed through the unique lens of a man's unexpected journey following a chance encounter with an injured fox. The narrative blends the whimsical—evidenced by conversations with a talking fox!—with the personal struggles of protagonist Jack and his family as they navigate loss, misunderstanding, and the search for approval. Set against the backdrop of the family's quaint village home and the richly described natural world, the story delves into themes of connection, adventure, and the passage of time with sensitivity and a touch of playfulness.
Despite a plot that may seem sparse at moments, 'Small Hours' shines in its character development and the evocative use of nature as both setting and metaphor. The novel's strength lies in its ability to draw readers into its intimate world, where human and animal perspectives merge to reveal the complex web of relationships and the transformative power of kindness. With a narrative that's both experimental and heartwarming, Palmer delivers a story that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting, making 'Small Hours' a memorable read that earns its four stars.
Despite a plot that may seem sparse at moments, 'Small Hours' shines in its character development and the evocative use of nature as both setting and metaphor. The novel's strength lies in its ability to draw readers into its intimate world, where human and animal perspectives merge to reveal the complex web of relationships and the transformative power of kindness. With a narrative that's both experimental and heartwarming, Palmer delivers a story that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting, making 'Small Hours' a memorable read that earns its four stars.