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poodlemama99's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
carlaj1082's review against another edition
3.0
DNF 50 pages in just didn’t care about the characters
kellijones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Author Anna Quindlen keenly observes universal feelings. She makes the little moments the big moments. She writes thoughts in a brilliantly simple and down-to-earth way. Miller's Valley is a character driven story, and I will remember the protagonist Mimi for a long time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Abortion, Sexual content, Suicide, Death, and Chronic illness
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
Miller’s Valley by Anna Quindlen is told from Mary Margaret’s (Mimi) point of view. Mimi is a young girl growing up in Miller’s Valley where the government wants to move everyone out the valley (where it floods the homes when it rains) and flood it creating a reservoir. We get to see how Mimi grew up, her family, and her home life (the book starts when she is eleven years old). Mimi’s Aunt Ruth lives in a cottage behind the main farmhouse. Aunt Ruth never leaves her cottage. She does not do cooking and expects meals to be brought to her. She also has to have someone do the shopping. Mimi’s mother, Miriam is a nurse and her father, Buddy runs the family farm. Her brother, Tommy goes off to fight in the Vietnam War and returns a different man. We get to see Mimi grow up in Miller’s Valley, live her life, go to school, get married, and then, ultimately, come back to Miller’s Valley.
I thought Miller’s Valley would be more than the life of one girl growing up in a small town. I found Miller’s Valley to be boring. The story is told in the first-person perspective (which I really dislike). It was more like reading a diary than a novel. I had a very hard time staying awake to read it. There is no depth to the book. The book is simple and easy to read, but there is no spark. This book does not leave with any impression when you are done reading it (except glad it is over). I give Miller’s Valley 2.5 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Miller’s Valley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
I thought Miller’s Valley would be more than the life of one girl growing up in a small town. I found Miller’s Valley to be boring. The story is told in the first-person perspective (which I really dislike). It was more like reading a diary than a novel. I had a very hard time staying awake to read it. There is no depth to the book. The book is simple and easy to read, but there is no spark. This book does not leave with any impression when you are done reading it (except glad it is over). I give Miller’s Valley 2.5 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Miller’s Valley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
joannefl97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Miller’s Valley is a small town that if the government has its way will be even smaller. The goal of the government is water management – aka relocation of the people so the valley can be flooded and become a lake. It begins in the 1960’s and is told by Mimi, a lifelong resident and one of the Millers of Miller’s Valley.
With the backdrop of the plans for the valley, this story is really about family and community. I enjoyed getting to know each person and stayed engaged with the story, even though I knew where it was headed. I do wish that at the end there had been a little more told of how the current day story unfolded. In other words, it was a little too short for me. There is also a little surprise near the end that some may not like as it is not fully addressed. I personally like some open ended storylines. It lets me use my imagination and leaves me thinking about the people and their story after the book is put down.
This was my 3rd Anna Quindlen book having read “Still Life with Bread Crumbs” and “Blessings”. I have enjoyed them all and recommend her as an author to read.
With the backdrop of the plans for the valley, this story is really about family and community. I enjoyed getting to know each person and stayed engaged with the story, even though I knew where it was headed. I do wish that at the end there had been a little more told of how the current day story unfolded. In other words, it was a little too short for me. There is also a little surprise near the end that some may not like as it is not fully addressed. I personally like some open ended storylines. It lets me use my imagination and leaves me thinking about the people and their story after the book is put down.
This was my 3rd Anna Quindlen book having read “Still Life with Bread Crumbs” and “Blessings”. I have enjoyed them all and recommend her as an author to read.
leslie_daley_1962's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shareen17's review against another edition
4.0
A story revolving around a girl growing up in a valley that is under constant threat of floods and being taken over by the government for a dam project.
elinor's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
cathy1969's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
This was kind of a quiet family drama that I enjoyed the more it went on.
Miller's Valley floods often, but the residents that know nothing else have no desire to move to higher ground and give up their homesteads including Miriam Miller's family. Her father is as committed to their farm and life in Miller's Valley as he is his family. Not only do he and his wife have Miriam, but two sons as well and Miriam's aunt who lives in the house behind them that hasn't left the house for as long as she can remember.
So much happens in the family such as Tommy basically becoming a wanderer after returning from Vietnam, Aunt Ruth observing from her home even though she never leaves and Miriam or Mimi trying to find her way wanting to move away and go to college in a science oriented field, but feeling the need to please her dad and stay there to run the farm.
There is a lot that happens in this novel although none of it is shocking or addictively page turning. However, Quindlen's writing is such that you can help but fall in love with her writing style that definitely keeps you reading.
Miller's Valley floods often, but the residents that know nothing else have no desire to move to higher ground and give up their homesteads including Miriam Miller's family. Her father is as committed to their farm and life in Miller's Valley as he is his family. Not only do he and his wife have Miriam, but two sons as well and Miriam's aunt who lives in the house behind them that hasn't left the house for as long as she can remember.
So much happens in the family such as Tommy basically becoming a wanderer after returning from Vietnam, Aunt Ruth observing from her home even though she never leaves and Miriam or Mimi trying to find her way wanting to move away and go to college in a science oriented field, but feeling the need to please her dad and stay there to run the farm.
There is a lot that happens in this novel although none of it is shocking or addictively page turning. However, Quindlen's writing is such that you can help but fall in love with her writing style that definitely keeps you reading.