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meghan_plethoraofpages's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really impressive debut that I think many readers will enjoy!
Boasting an interesting structure, Astra is told chronologically over six decades - we follow Astra, always through the eyes of those in her life - characters both on the periphery and centrally in her story. While the structure is interesting I am happy to report, at least for me, it is seamlessly well done - an apt vehicle for a special character-driven story. Not merely a gimmick, the ten people’s eyes on Astra at various points throughout her life give us flashes of insight into this complex, enigmatic woman. Each chapter has its own unique, rich voice - it felt like each one could really be fleshed out into its own novella.
Astra experienced an unconventional and difficult upbringing, and as she’s evolved and grown as a person pieces of that past expresses itself in a number of different ways. As I was reading, I was thinking about how we really only ever have an incomplete picture of a person, even our closest loved ones. No one we meet truly knows Astra; Astra herself was still figuring it out over the years, evolving. As readers we also have the added challenge of seeing Astra through these different lenses - what is bias, unreliable narrators, and what is truth? Our perspectives are coloured by the impressions of the eyes we’re looking through.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is the circular view we get of Astra’s life. Beginning with her birth story in a roundabout way, we finish with a chapter in her own voice. Healing, moving forward, resolution are implied but not served up syrupy sweet in conclusion. It was excellent. There’s so many beautiful passages and takeaways… it’s impressively written.
This would make for a really great book club pick. Each viewpoint makes for lots of musings and discussion. Many of the characters are unlikeable, and they feel real in all their flaws, with inner turmoils on display.
Overall, a wonderful reading experience. Definitely pick this up if your at all interested - it’s a gem. Congratulations to the author on such a special debut.
Thank you to Mcclelland & Stewart /Penguin Random House Canada, Netgalley and the author for access to a free e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Boasting an interesting structure, Astra is told chronologically over six decades - we follow Astra, always through the eyes of those in her life - characters both on the periphery and centrally in her story. While the structure is interesting I am happy to report, at least for me, it is seamlessly well done - an apt vehicle for a special character-driven story. Not merely a gimmick, the ten people’s eyes on Astra at various points throughout her life give us flashes of insight into this complex, enigmatic woman. Each chapter has its own unique, rich voice - it felt like each one could really be fleshed out into its own novella.
Astra experienced an unconventional and difficult upbringing, and as she’s evolved and grown as a person pieces of that past expresses itself in a number of different ways. As I was reading, I was thinking about how we really only ever have an incomplete picture of a person, even our closest loved ones. No one we meet truly knows Astra; Astra herself was still figuring it out over the years, evolving. As readers we also have the added challenge of seeing Astra through these different lenses - what is bias, unreliable narrators, and what is truth? Our perspectives are coloured by the impressions of the eyes we’re looking through.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is the circular view we get of Astra’s life. Beginning with her birth story in a roundabout way, we finish with a chapter in her own voice. Healing, moving forward, resolution are implied but not served up syrupy sweet in conclusion. It was excellent. There’s so many beautiful passages and takeaways… it’s impressively written.
This would make for a really great book club pick. Each viewpoint makes for lots of musings and discussion. Many of the characters are unlikeable, and they feel real in all their flaws, with inner turmoils on display.
Overall, a wonderful reading experience. Definitely pick this up if your at all interested - it’s a gem. Congratulations to the author on such a special debut.
Thank you to Mcclelland & Stewart /Penguin Random House Canada, Netgalley and the author for access to a free e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
kat_caledonia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
salp24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I just loved this book. Told in a series of chapters by character, it was a very engaging read, and I never wanted to put it down.
bridget_h's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
julieh46's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ahpotts's review against another edition
5.0
What a gorgeous book. 10 characters narrate one moment each that intersects with the title character. Each voice gives a peek at who Astra might be, or at least who she is to someone else, but in the end, of course, we can never completely know another person, and they, in turn, can never completely understand how they influence us. And the intersections! The way the lives of those around Astra weave together, whether or not she knows… well, I already said it, but, gorgeous.
cslanzi's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the way Astra was introduced us at different periods of her life. It gave a great picture of who she was. Also it created some suspense and motivation to keep reading to find out comes next in her life.
jessthemama's review against another edition
4.0
The way this book was written is so UNIQUE! I loved it for that. Each chapter had a different narrator from Astra's life. Through other's eyes, you watch her life and experiences unfold. It took a second for me to get into, but then I couldn't put it down! Lovely, easy read. 3.5⭐