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okayletsread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
I feel torn with rating this literary fiction novel. On one hand, it's beautifully written with well-crafted prose that makes a slower-paced book feel like a breeze to read. However, there were certain details about the plot, formatting, and characters that, quite frankly, irked me.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think the future timeline from Fiona was necessary. It didn't add enough to the book. I would have loved more stories from the four siblings' childhood—especially during "the Pause," as they called it—but most of the book explored their shared adulthood experiences.
Some readers enjoy a buttoned-up ending that tells you everything that happens to every character, but I am not that reader. I was hoping it would end on a less obvious note. Certain characters made wildly uncharacteristic decisions at the end, but I won't gold that against the book itself.
Still, the writing is so wonderful that it makes me very glad I spent time with the Skinner siblings. Fans of Ann Patchett and Richard Powers may be interested in this family tale.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think the future timeline from Fiona was necessary. It didn't add enough to the book. I would have loved more stories from the four siblings' childhood—especially during "the Pause," as they called it—but most of the book explored their shared adulthood experiences.
Some readers enjoy a buttoned-up ending that tells you everything that happens to every character, but I am not that reader. I was hoping it would end on a less obvious note. Certain characters made wildly uncharacteristic decisions at the end, but I won't gold that against the book itself.
Still, the writing is so wonderful that it makes me very glad I spent time with the Skinner siblings. Fans of Ann Patchett and Richard Powers may be interested in this family tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Addiction
evawhite's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Addiction
gondorgirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Drug use
lindsm94's review against another edition
I just could not get into this book. I love stories that explore family dynamics and don't mind flash forward and back stories as well. But, this one I had trouble connecting with. I didn't fall in love with any of the characters and felt lost with a lot of the back and fourth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Addiction
rozereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, and Sexual assault
hjmw's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual violence and Stalking
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