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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Are Elizabeth Strout’s books all mostly the same? Yes. Will I them? Also, yes.
This was a warm and comforting story, I appreciate how Elizabeth Strout speaks to older generations and models acceptance and kindness. I enjoyed Lucy and Olives friendship.
This was a warm and comforting story, I appreciate how Elizabeth Strout speaks to older generations and models acceptance and kindness. I enjoyed Lucy and Olives friendship.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
✨ “The truths we withhold often reveal as much as the ones we speak aloud.”
📍 Contemporary U.S., shifting small-town and personal landscapes
Strout returns with her signature quiet brilliance, weaving interconnected lives through Lucy Barton’s watchful, reflective voice. In this novel, survival is not grand or dramatic but deeply human — carried in the small mercies, withheld secrets, and fragile threads of community. For readers of Alice Munro or Ann Patchett, this is a novel that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the quiet ache of ordinary lives and the resilience within them.
⚠️ Content Warnings: Grief, family conflict, illness, emotional neglect.
🌶 Spice Level: 0/5 (no romance or sexual content).
📍 Contemporary U.S., shifting small-town and personal landscapes
Strout returns with her signature quiet brilliance, weaving interconnected lives through Lucy Barton’s watchful, reflective voice. In this novel, survival is not grand or dramatic but deeply human — carried in the small mercies, withheld secrets, and fragile threads of community. For readers of Alice Munro or Ann Patchett, this is a novel that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the quiet ache of ordinary lives and the resilience within them.
⚠️ Content Warnings: Grief, family conflict, illness, emotional neglect.
🌶 Spice Level: 0/5 (no romance or sexual content).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief
slow-paced
This was such a struggle to get through. The writing was good once you get into it but I had to really be present and read it - if I got distracted, it would be days before I got back to it.
The stories were poignant and sweet but didn’t capture me. The writing was great however, and I can see the appeal. Maybe just not one for me
The stories were poignant and sweet but didn’t capture me. The writing was great however, and I can see the appeal. Maybe just not one for me
A lot of characters. You may need a spreadsheet you keep track.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
This book made me cry in the best way as I watched the characters grow in their brokenness. This book reflects real life in all its messiness and beauty. Highly recommend!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘Ik weet echt niet wat de essentie van dit verhaal is!’
‘Mensen,’ zei Lucy zacht terwijl ze achteroverleunde. ‘Mensen en het leven dat ze leiden. Dat is de essentie.’
‘En zo is het,’ knikte Olive.’
‘Mensen,’ zei Lucy zacht terwijl ze achteroverleunde. ‘Mensen en het leven dat ze leiden. Dat is de essentie.’
‘En zo is het,’ knikte Olive.’
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes