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an_enthusiastic_reader's review against another edition
4.0
The characters and almost anachronistic vibe of this novel elevate the story from run of the mill coming-of-age into the Nebraska Gothic and its undercurrent of regret, nostalgia, and genuine love its characters feel for each other. There's an oddball Anne Tyler-ness here, but the rundown rural Midwest town where the story's set is as much a part as the characters and their desperate need to connect and repair from unbearable abandonment. It's clear that this first novel was preparation for The Coffins of Little Hope; Schaffert's talents are many, but his ability to firmly pull readers into his imagination and then make them empathize fully with the characters is one of his strongest. As in Coffins, there is a signal that the old world is falling away, and only the artifacts of old junk shops and small town newspapers remain as psychic portals to the past.
astrologicalblues's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating is about closer to a 3.5. It was a good read but the first half I have to admit I kept getting distracted only because the MC kept flittering between thoughts and little past stories so often that it barely held my attention. But it is a really interesting story. The ending... I'm not sure how it's an ending. I can sort of see how, but... I don't know.
I've been spending all day moving heavy stuff and traveling on the road and, to be quite honest, I'm too tired to explain it. I probably won't do a proper review just simply because this was picked up as a 'Blind Date with a Book' before Valentine's Day. It's better than the book I had gotten last year though... oh gosh.
I've been spending all day moving heavy stuff and traveling on the road and, to be quite honest, I'm too tired to explain it. I probably won't do a proper review just simply because this was picked up as a 'Blind Date with a Book' before Valentine's Day. It's better than the book I had gotten last year though... oh gosh.
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