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cgreenstein's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book refers to Romani people with a racial slur and characterizes them stereotypically, just as a heads-up. It's not the focus of the book, but it does pop up for several short sections. I don't know enough about the cultural context of the book to judge to what extent this language and characterization is exoticization vs. racism vs. what modern Western readers would label a tone-deaf attempt to depict a minority group through the lens of the majority group that's then filtered through the prism of something that's set over the course of the late 1800s through to the 1960s or 70s.
This book has no plot, which is a bit of a hurdle when, like me, you read mainly for plot, but once I realized that this was a story about the stories of a slowly dying, isolated, traditional, rural Armenian village, then I was able to get on board to enjoy the vivid cast of characters in all their ordinary foibles, humorous idiosyncrasies, and mystical encounters. While the first 2/3 were veeeeery slow and disconnected, I enjoyed the last third of the book very much, and I wouldn't have if the first 2/3 hadn't laid the groundwork for caring about the characters and setting up the eventual understated-but-satisfying payoffs. (But seriously, the first 2/3 are slow.) If you read for language and to immerse yourself in a different time and place, this is a good book to pick up.
This book has no plot, which is a bit of a hurdle when, like me, you read mainly for plot, but once I realized that this was a story about the stories of a slowly dying, isolated, traditional, rural Armenian village, then I was able to get on board to enjoy the vivid cast of characters in all their ordinary foibles, humorous idiosyncrasies, and mystical encounters. While the first 2/3 were veeeeery slow and disconnected, I enjoyed the last third of the book very much, and I wouldn't have if the first 2/3 hadn't laid the groundwork for caring about the characters and setting up the eventual understated-but-satisfying payoffs. (But seriously, the first 2/3 are slow.) If you read for language and to immerse yourself in a different time and place, this is a good book to pick up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Infertility, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexism
nicoleines's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Animal death, and Child death
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
A beautiful, fable-esque novel
which is both life affirming and a testament to story telling. Brimmed with love, grief, and eventual joy, Three Apples Fell from the sky gives us the power to face tomorrow full of optimism.
I would highly, highly recommend (after checking trigger warnings)!
*Reminds me a lot of One Hundred Years of Solitude (but less dark).
which is both life affirming and a testament to story telling. Brimmed with love, grief, and eventual joy, Three Apples Fell from the sky gives us the power to face tomorrow full of optimism.
I would highly, highly recommend (after checking trigger warnings)!
*Reminds me a lot of One Hundred Years of Solitude (but less dark).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Child death, Infertility, Animal death, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
ladymirtazapine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Animal death, Blood, Death, Infertility, Medical content, War, and Grief
hollyd19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Three Apples Fell from the Sky is a story based in a rural, mountainous Armenian village where a tiny community of elderly residents support one another and keep traditions alive. This novel reads like a soft, wholesome fable with sprinkled in bits of magical realism. The community of Maran has experienced remarkable pain and loss, from famines to earthquakes to war, but they continue to bolster one another and bicker like family.
The book is structured in three parts based on an old Armenian saying: “And three apples fell from heaven: one for the storyteller, one for the listener, and one for the eavesdropper.” There is only a loose driving plot; for the most part, you get to hear backstories of the charming, resilient residents and then peek in on their lives as they go on being the eccentric, superstitious, caring little village on the mountain. I had a particular soft spot for Nastasya, the wife of a village descendant, who arrives with an open-heart and willingness to be shaped by Maran.
The writing — translated from the original Russian — is melodic and atmospheric. One of my favorite lines was: “That’s probably how things are supposed to be because that’s just the way it is.” It’s certainly a slow-moving book, but the town is so bucolic and its residents are so endearing, I just want to sit in the town square and continue to be a part of their little world.
The book is structured in three parts based on an old Armenian saying: “And three apples fell from heaven: one for the storyteller, one for the listener, and one for the eavesdropper.” There is only a loose driving plot; for the most part, you get to hear backstories of the charming, resilient residents and then peek in on their lives as they go on being the eccentric, superstitious, caring little village on the mountain. I had a particular soft spot for Nastasya, the wife of a village descendant, who arrives with an open-heart and willingness to be shaped by Maran.
The writing — translated from the original Russian — is melodic and atmospheric. One of my favorite lines was: “That’s probably how things are supposed to be because that’s just the way it is.” It’s certainly a slow-moving book, but the town is so bucolic and its residents are so endearing, I just want to sit in the town square and continue to be a part of their little world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Blood, Infertility, and Mental illness
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Animal death, and Pregnancy
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