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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
thought it was good until the literal last page of the book lol. but also owen and alma are actually a bit insufferable and i did not like them together lol.
This is a slowly-paced novel that is worth reading. It has interesting reflections on class, 2016 when Trump is just elected, and creative writing.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
This is the story of Owen, a Kentucky native who has moved back home to live with his family members, earn some money, and find some time to explore a career as a writer. On campus, he meets Alma who is a writer in residence. Originally from Bosnia, Alma's different life and family experiences are intriguing and appealing to Owen. Their relationship grows and they begin to understand their different upbringings, cultures, and family beliefs.
This is the story of Owen, a Kentucky native who has moved back home to live with his family members, earn some money, and find some time to explore a career as a writer. On campus, he meets Alma who is a writer in residence. Originally from Bosnia, Alma's different life and family experiences are intriguing and appealing to Owen. Their relationship grows and they begin to understand their different upbringings, cultures, and family beliefs.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Owen is an aspiring writer recently returned to his native Kentucky and takes a job as a groundskeeper on a university campus in order to take a creative writing class at no cost. He meets and falls in love with Alma who is from a family of Muslin Bosnian immigrants and is the university’s writer in residence. Odds are stacked against the couple for several reasons including career competition but most importantly, for differences in family backgrounds.
As literary fiction, I have to say that this book checks all the boxes. The characters are well-developed and the issues are more important than plot which I expect from literary fiction. Some readers may find the lack of punctuation especially no quotation marks around dialogue to be distracting but I liked that aspect of the writing. As literary fiction,this book is expertly written and I think the author is very talented. That being said, I have to give my rating based on my enjoyment level which brings my assessment down considerably. It wasn’t so bad that I DNF and I certainly didn’t read the entire book out of obligation so I don’t think I wasted my time. I just REALLY disliked the main characters. If they had been teenagers, I would consider their self-centeredness to be part of a “coming of age” story but they are 25-30 years old. It’s hard to imagine that the only likable characters in my opinion were Rando and Pop who are somewhat backward Trump supporters (never would have imagined saying that). I also realize that this discrepancy could have been one of the author’s goals - make the reader question our stereotypes. Anyway, I DID NOT enjoy the story or the characters and hated the ending. No spoilers.
Thanks to Knopf Books for the Goodreads giveaway.
As literary fiction, I have to say that this book checks all the boxes. The characters are well-developed and the issues are more important than plot which I expect from literary fiction. Some readers may find the lack of punctuation especially no quotation marks around dialogue to be distracting but I liked that aspect of the writing. As literary fiction,this book is expertly written and I think the author is very talented. That being said, I have to give my rating based on my enjoyment level which brings my assessment down considerably. It wasn’t so bad that I DNF and I certainly didn’t read the entire book out of obligation so I don’t think I wasted my time. I just REALLY disliked the main characters. If they had been teenagers, I would consider their self-centeredness to be part of a “coming of age” story but they are 25-30 years old. It’s hard to imagine that the only likable characters in my opinion were Rando and Pop who are somewhat backward Trump supporters (never would have imagined saying that). I also realize that this discrepancy could have been one of the author’s goals - make the reader question our stereotypes. Anyway, I DID NOT enjoy the story or the characters and hated the ending. No spoilers.
Thanks to Knopf Books for the Goodreads giveaway.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a little strange to read about a writer working as a tree specialist because the guy I married is an MFA and arborist, but the similarities end there.
Boring. Depressing. I didn’t like the first person narration. I don’t recommend it and I won’t read anything else by this author.
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