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ciiku's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Terminal illness
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I was super close to DNFing in the first 50 pages, and I'm still wondering if that might've been the better choice. It's competently written, and I understand why others might like it, but there's something off and off-putting about this one, and I'm sorry to say I'm not going to devote any more time to it to try to figure it out. It's an "irascible/antisocial/curmudgeonly elder and other floundering figures connect and create a supportive community" story, of a sort I've certainly read and appreciated before — A Man Called Ove, The Authenticity Project, The Reading List, All the Lonely People, Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. It's written in multiple points of view, which I also generally enjoy. The first section proved to be my least favorite POV, so I was hopeful that pushing through it would be worthwhile. It was... okay-ish. Interesting characters, whose back stories are basically the plot, and a moderately satisfying conclusion. I would've preferred fewer characters, more depth, more challenge to some of the casual cruelties and sexism, more humor, and a greater sense of sustainable growth and happiness at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Sexism, Grief, Medical content, Abandonment, Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
elyssam's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a quiet story following a group on unlikely friends. Sloane is a librarian who lost her sister in childhood, Arthur is a grumpy man with strong opinions on literature. When Arthur stops coming by, a worried Sloane seeks him out. This event leads to the formation of a book club where each individual finds that there are people who care about them in the world.
I really liked this one! The audiobook narrator was absolutely fantastic. The different voices suited the characters’ ages and personalities so well. The dialogue between them was done very well. I was engaged throughout the entire story.
As for the plot itself, I really did enjoy the concept of Sloane’s story. I was surprised when we got to hear everyone else in the book club’s perspectives too but it offered up different insights. The exploration of different types of grief, different types of loneliness was well balanced and what really made the book shine. It also visited topics of life purpose. I think for all that it encompasses, it can reach a wide and diverse audience. It is very slow paced. Folks who are trying to find a path in life or those who have already fulfilled theirs and are wondering what’s next.
This had a Harry Potter reference. In 2023. Jumpscare!
This had a Harry Potter reference. In 2023. Jumpscare!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
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