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cheye13'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I recently described literary fiction as making the ordinary extraordinary – telling the story of a simple life, but in an engaging, artistic, beautiful way. This is well-written, but that's really all I have to say for it. I think this might carry more weight for those more familiar with (semi-)recent Irish history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
donnareadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
While I did not like the ending, I recommend this book about 84 year old Maurice Hannigan looking back on his life one evening. In the first chapter we can guess how this is going to end - so content warning about suicide before you begin this book. That being said, I enjoyed the story. Maurice Hannigan sits alone on a barstool in a hotel where he has reserved a room for the night. He drinks toasts to the five most important people in his life. He reminisces as though he is talking to his son and we learn about Maurice's life, his loves and regrets. It's touching and heartbreaking as we glimpse behind Maurice's gruff exterior into the tragedy, various decisions and people that have shaped his life. I kept wishing his son was actually there to hear the life story, not just in Maurice's mind as he reminisced. Of course that would have changed the ending. I found it a thought provoking read about how our lives are shaped by the people we meet and love, life events, decisions we make, and the grip of grief and loneliness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
sophiegallagher98's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
oliviapal's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
renh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death, and Child death
Minor: Child abuse
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol and Miscarriage
lena_loves_reading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
cristina_g_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Raw, emotional, contemplating.
The sadness rushes to you from character’s loneliness. The Narrator did justice to this book, his voice deepening your understanding of the character’s worries and inner universe.
This book will stay with me and I feel that it somehow crashed something inside, can’t interpret much of it now, but I will….
The sadness rushes to you from character’s loneliness. The Narrator did justice to this book, his voice deepening your understanding of the character’s worries and inner universe.
This book will stay with me and I feel that it somehow crashed something inside, can’t interpret much of it now, but I will….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
jc_wb's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
I started reading and knew what was going to happen. I had to read the last few pages, cry it out and then carry on. Life got in the way, but this is a beautiful book from an unusual perspective (from my experience at least) - I can't say I've read many books narrated by grumpy Irish farmers.
I particularly loved the section where Maurice overhears Sadie talking to their son:
"does Kevin love kevin?.... Because if you love this wee boy and are always kind to him and always try to understand him then I think he will be the happiest little man in the whole wide world"
😩 Life goals! Sounds trite, but I really hope that is the lesson I take away from this book.
I particularly loved the section where Maurice overhears Sadie talking to their son:
"does Kevin love kevin?.... Because if you love this wee boy and are always kind to him and always try to understand him then I think he will be the happiest little man in the whole wide world"
😩 Life goals! Sounds trite, but I really hope that is the lesson I take away from this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Physical abuse, and Cancer
bookswithhan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Grief, Mental illness, Suicide, and Violence