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djrmelvin's review
2.0
Beautiful writing that almost masks a go-nowhere story. There's so much opportunity for something to happen to any of the characters who are present for a life shattering moment, but one day after finishing this I realized that not one of them went in a direction different than the one they were headed in before it happened. Maybe that's Anshaw's point, that life doesn't turn on a dime. But if that's true, what was the point of dragging the reader through all that well written angst?
sophronisba's review
3.0
I was eagerly anticipating this book, but it was just okay. The writing is fine, nothing spectacular, but the characters' voices seemed too flat and undifferentiated to me. And although the author tells us many times about the impact that the precipitating event had on the characters' lives, we don't really see it.
kristinrob's review against another edition
3.0
Five people, driving in the country side late at night, high and drunk and otherwise inattentive, hit and kill a little girl.
This story looks back and watches their lives from that moment.
It's a good premise, but it doesn't quite work. The dead girl has a certain gravitas in some of there lives, but some of the wreck and ruin that comes of the accident is of the characters own making - they were destined down paths of destruction with or without the horrible moment in their past.
This story looks back and watches their lives from that moment.
It's a good premise, but it doesn't quite work. The dead girl has a certain gravitas in some of there lives, but some of the wreck and ruin that comes of the accident is of the characters own making - they were destined down paths of destruction with or without the horrible moment in their past.
jules72653's review
4.0
I liked this book although it was a bit hard to keep all the characters straight and their relationships to each other. In the beginning I wasn't sure if Jean was a friend or a sister. Turns out she was a friend of the sister. I didn't love the characters like I sometimes do but the author did a great job pacing the novel. Each chapter moves the story along deftly, sometimes in years and sometimes much less.
I have paraphrased my favorite line from the book: "The past is resistant to revision." I love that!
I have paraphrased my favorite line from the book: "The past is resistant to revision." I love that!
eleong's review
4.0
A haunting novel that throws strangers and family together over one tragic event. Anshaw's language is stunningly beautiful - I found myself re-reading sentences just for the joy in hearing the phrases again in my head. The characters are developed at an even pace so that the reader gets to know them slowly over time and very, very well.
sarahjsnider's review
5.0
Characters are affected by a tragedy in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. This hit the spot for me.
andreaguess's review
1.0
I got halfway through and couldn’t care any more. Done. Very independent film like. Pointless.
megbsmit's review
2.0
I had higher hopes for this book. I didn't really feel invested in any of the characters and I never felt like the plot went anywhere. Disappointing.
anrobe's review against another edition
3.0
I really struggled with rating this one. Although I was never bored, I also wasn't ever really engaged. There was something about it that just didn't work for me but I can't completely put my finger on what it is. The writing was fine, nothing fabulous, but fine. The characters were deliciously flawed but never really came alive to me. Maybe my expectations were too high based on the attention it's been getting but I just don't think this one quite lives up to the hype.
This novel has a subtlety to it that I wanted to love but just didn't work for me. However, I can completely understand why some have loved it. I just didn't feel quite as engaged as I would have liked. I loved the idea of this book but I think the execution fell slightly short. I think my primary issue with the novel might be around how Anshaw handled the evolution of each character. The premise tells the reader that their evolution will be based on this event that changes all of their lives but I found little relation between the two. Well, it was there but it wasn't very solid. It felt disjointed in some way for me.
I'm not sure that I can wholeheartedly recommend this one but if the premise sounds interesting, it would be worth a try. Otherwise, you might want to consider skipping this one.
This novel has a subtlety to it that I wanted to love but just didn't work for me. However, I can completely understand why some have loved it. I just didn't feel quite as engaged as I would have liked. I loved the idea of this book but I think the execution fell slightly short. I think my primary issue with the novel might be around how Anshaw handled the evolution of each character. The premise tells the reader that their evolution will be based on this event that changes all of their lives but I found little relation between the two. Well, it was there but it wasn't very solid. It felt disjointed in some way for me.
I'm not sure that I can wholeheartedly recommend this one but if the premise sounds interesting, it would be worth a try. Otherwise, you might want to consider skipping this one.