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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
start: 4/10
writing: 5/10
characters: 6/10
plot: 7/10
ending: 6/10
writing: 5/10
characters: 6/10
plot: 7/10
ending: 6/10
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just didn't click with it. the voice of Jean wasn't particularly interesting and I just wasn't invested in either of the romances. Margaret was the most interesting element but then not enough time is spend on the dilemma at the end and the connection to the train crash just felt unnecessary.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Small pleasures was an interesting read and that is all I can really make of it and I'm still not sure whether I like or dislike it.
From the beginning I knew what most likely happened to Gretchen. And while I did see it coming, it was still interesting to see Jean figure it all out. I also didn't mind the love story between Jean and Howard but wish it was more detailed - but that might be a personal preference.
The ending has left me conflicted. I still don't understand why that last chapter was necessary. If I hadn't read the acknowledgements I would've been left thinking "Ok? Why'd that have to happen?". The purpose of Howard's accident/death would've made more sense if the article at the start of the book was used at the end of the book, to emphasize that the train crash story watered down the story of the virgin birth.
I still read the whole thing in only a few days. I loved the style of writing since it was easy but maintained that 1950s writing-feel.
From the beginning I knew what most likely happened to Gretchen. And while I did see it coming, it was still interesting to see Jean figure it all out. I also didn't mind the love story between Jean and Howard but wish it was more detailed - but that might be a personal preference.
The ending has left me conflicted. I still don't understand why that last chapter was necessary. If I hadn't read the acknowledgements I would've been left thinking "Ok? Why'd that have to happen?". The purpose of Howard's accident/death would've made more sense if the article at the start of the book was used at the end of the book, to emphasize that the train crash story watered down the story of the virgin birth.
I still read the whole thing in only a few days. I loved the style of writing since it was easy but maintained that 1950s writing-feel.
I know lots of people’s problem with this book lies in the ending, but for me, it started going downhill the second Gretchen and Martha’s relationship was revealed. Using the tired trope of the “evil lesbian” character who steals a man’s wife, and Jean finding Gretchen dishonest once all of this is revealed, paired with Martha being more or less irredeemable even to the woman who is supposedly in love with her… well, I’ve had enough of those stories. Beyond that, the mentally ill nephew being Margaret’s real father… it just feels like lazy writing . Which is a shame because I really enjoyed the early chapters. In contrast, I actually rather liked the ending!
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated