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bethreadsandnaps's review
4.0
What a great read! I think there's more in this book than I absorbed. This is one that you could read in various stages of your life and take away different messages. If you are interested in plot, this one probably won't be one that you'd be interested in. If you want to read about the human condition and the ebbs and flows of life, this is your book. A trail of sadness weaved through the book. Even when the author said people were happy, the way it was written still felt sad. His writing may need a little Prozac at times.
rachelp's review against another edition
3.0
I had heard this book described as a book of "linked short stories." I would consider this book to be a novel, but since a lot of time passes between each chapter, I can see where the description came from. I enjoyed this book about life.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘The moment would pass but until it did, no one was going anywhere.’
This novel uses eight linked stories of different length and from different perspectives to bring to life the characters of Mary and O’Neil. The stories, focussed on particular events in their lives, are dated so that we can follow the chronology of the events that have shaped the characters of Mary and O’Neil.
Most powerful of the stories, for me, was the opening story entitled ‘Last of the Leaves’. The central characters in this story are O’Neil’s parents, Arthur and Miriam. The story opens in November 1979, with Arthur’s premonition of death, on a day in which he and Miriam are travelling to visit O’Neil at college. While they are preparing for this trip we learn that each has secrets, and what these secrets are. We learn too that individual secrets can be put aside or forgotten in the shared joy of seeing O’Neil happy. This visit has a tragic aftermath which influences the balance of the novel without overshadowing the events yet to unfold.
I enjoyed this novel with its bittersweet observations of different life events, both joyous and tragic. In fewer than 300 pages, Mr Cronin creates likeable and human characters whose experiences both as individuals and as members of family units will be recognisable to so many readers.
With fewer than 300 pages, this is a comparatively quick read. Quick, but not necessarily easy. This is the first of Mr Cronin’s novels I have read, and I am looking forward to reading the others.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This novel uses eight linked stories of different length and from different perspectives to bring to life the characters of Mary and O’Neil. The stories, focussed on particular events in their lives, are dated so that we can follow the chronology of the events that have shaped the characters of Mary and O’Neil.
Most powerful of the stories, for me, was the opening story entitled ‘Last of the Leaves’. The central characters in this story are O’Neil’s parents, Arthur and Miriam. The story opens in November 1979, with Arthur’s premonition of death, on a day in which he and Miriam are travelling to visit O’Neil at college. While they are preparing for this trip we learn that each has secrets, and what these secrets are. We learn too that individual secrets can be put aside or forgotten in the shared joy of seeing O’Neil happy. This visit has a tragic aftermath which influences the balance of the novel without overshadowing the events yet to unfold.
I enjoyed this novel with its bittersweet observations of different life events, both joyous and tragic. In fewer than 300 pages, Mr Cronin creates likeable and human characters whose experiences both as individuals and as members of family units will be recognisable to so many readers.
With fewer than 300 pages, this is a comparatively quick read. Quick, but not necessarily easy. This is the first of Mr Cronin’s novels I have read, and I am looking forward to reading the others.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
rettaroo's review
Let's see... Dreams, cancer, deadly car accidents, a chapter called "Orphans", more dreams, an abortion, more cancer, more dreams, yet more cancer, shitty and distant college prof husband having an affair with the au pair, more dreams. I didn't think it was possible to cram this many clichés into one book. I was wrong. Trite tear jerker... Literary Lawrence Welk.
patriciajoan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
mommodan's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book. Each chapter stands on its own. Together they tell a story of a young man growing up and settling into his own family. I loved the story of Mary’s pregnancy and childbirth.
sarahlizyb's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
rym201's review
4.0
Interesting book, ultimately completely devastating, that unfolded over decades. Beautifully written.
baggman's review
3.0
Three stars, but could probably push it to 3 1/2 due to the great writing skill of Cronin.
In a nutshell, the entire book centers around a brother and sister's love and devotion to each other. Very emotional, chock full of feelings and family love. I kept thinking how it would feel to have these strong feeling myself. Not, unfortunately, a real grabber.
In a nutshell, the entire book centers around a brother and sister's love and devotion to each other. Very emotional, chock full of feelings and family love. I kept thinking how it would feel to have these strong feeling myself. Not, unfortunately, a real grabber.