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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
It feels unfair to rate this "3 stars." I waver in giving it 4. This is an exceptional debut novel. He is an author of remarkable promise. I think the part that lost me was when they met each other's parents. Some of it felt a bit caricature. At times, as a love story, I thought it was exceptional. At other times, it felt superficial. But really our days are made of cooking dinner, dim sum meals and arbor walkways. Some of my favorite scenes are with his co-workers. Forgive for me for using the word "exceptional" twice in this review. If you are a person who requires a strong plot-driven story, this may not be the choice for you. I love a character study.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
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
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. The prose is simple, but something about its simplicity cuts right to the heart of the matter. Cole has such keen eyes and ears for observation. I loved the details about the groundskeeping, and the juxtaposition of that with the heady world of being a writer. Then there's the juxtaposition of the Kentuckian main character who is struggling financially, and just getting back on his feet, with the already successful Bosnian love interest. You both want them to get together, and know that their relationship could never last. This book feels so real to me. If you are looking for something quiet and thoughtful, and entirely relevant to this moment of feeling lost in a very divided America, this book will speak beautifully to you.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book up on a whim, drawn to the beautiful, minimalist cover. I am so happy I did.
Set in rural Kentucky in the days leading up to and months following the 2016 election, this debut novel tells the story of Owen. Owen is a character so beautifully written, I won’t soon forget him. Or Pop, whom I loved very much. This is a comfort read — perfect for early spring or late fall. I was happy I read it when I did because I can’t believe that it would have had the same effect on me if I’d have read it in the summer.
The story was slow paced, told in shorter jolts of several paragraphs at a time (there are no chapter designations, there is a part 1 and a part 2). Going through it, you would think that there was no overarching plot, that it was just Owen’s life from August 2016 to spring of 2017. But in the last 20 pages there is a climax and a resolution. Typically I dislike when novels do this, I always think the resolution is rushed and hurried. But this worked beautifully. The ending is left quite open, and I will daydream about Owen for days to come surely.
The only downfall I can think of is that the ugly “Read with Jenna” bubble isn’t a sticker on this one. It’s printed on it and thus will be a boil on the beautiful cover forever. Maybe in future printings it will no longer adorn and I can donate this copy and buy a prettier one. I can hope.
Set in rural Kentucky in the days leading up to and months following the 2016 election, this debut novel tells the story of Owen. Owen is a character so beautifully written, I won’t soon forget him. Or Pop, whom I loved very much. This is a comfort read — perfect for early spring or late fall. I was happy I read it when I did because I can’t believe that it would have had the same effect on me if I’d have read it in the summer.
The story was slow paced, told in shorter jolts of several paragraphs at a time (there are no chapter designations, there is a part 1 and a part 2). Going through it, you would think that there was no overarching plot, that it was just Owen’s life from August 2016 to spring of 2017. But in the last 20 pages there is a climax and a resolution. Typically I dislike when novels do this, I always think the resolution is rushed and hurried. But this worked beautifully. The ending is left quite open, and I will daydream about Owen for days to come surely.
The only downfall I can think of is that the ugly “Read with Jenna” bubble isn’t a sticker on this one. It’s printed on it and thus will be a boil on the beautiful cover forever. Maybe in future printings it will no longer adorn and I can donate this copy and buy a prettier one. I can hope.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A multilayered and fascinating debut, a story that could be a love story but it's also a description of America and its division.
I loved the style of writing and the storytelling. It was like travelling to a different universe and meeting other cultures.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the style of writing and the storytelling. It was like travelling to a different universe and meeting other cultures.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine