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kendragaylelee's review against another edition
4.0
If you're looking for a page-turner, Goldenseal isn't going to scratch that itch.
But if you're looking for a novel that scratches at the question "what is female friendship?" on a sweeping scale, Goldenseal will do that. And ask you to what is left up to fate, what is our own choosing, and how much choice we ultimately have in the way our lives unfold.
I won't tell you that the characters aren't vexing at times. Or that there are easy answers in Goldenseal. But toward the end, when it becomes clearer why one of the women made her choices... well, I think it's worth the read to get there.
I've thought about Goldenseal several times since I finished it. And about the path women are asked (or allowed) to carve through the patriarchy, what motherhood means, and how to reconcile the inherent unknowability of other people with our deep well of love for them.
It's a contemplative novel. If that's your gig, grab a copy of Goldenseal.
Buy it here & support Bookish Atlanta: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/9781640096066
But if you're looking for a novel that scratches at the question "what is female friendship?" on a sweeping scale, Goldenseal will do that. And ask you to what is left up to fate, what is our own choosing, and how much choice we ultimately have in the way our lives unfold.
I won't tell you that the characters aren't vexing at times. Or that there are easy answers in Goldenseal. But toward the end, when it becomes clearer why one of the women made her choices... well, I think it's worth the read to get there.
I've thought about Goldenseal several times since I finished it. And about the path women are asked (or allowed) to carve through the patriarchy, what motherhood means, and how to reconcile the inherent unknowability of other people with our deep well of love for them.
It's a contemplative novel. If that's your gig, grab a copy of Goldenseal.
Buy it here & support Bookish Atlanta: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/9781640096066
amavia91's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Unfortunately, my experience of this book is clouded by my desires being out of alignment with most current historical fiction releases. This story of two women with a decades long friendship and a shattering secret that leads to distance until a sudden confrontation---is very present in current releases, and while there is nothing wrong with a common storyline, I am a bit burnt out by this one specifically. I was reassured that this was a unique approach with references to Western standoffs and a conversational tension. The actual experience of reading it was quite different from my perspective: the story became more tell than show as it went on, those details were surface level (the book is quite short), and ultimately I couldn't connect with any of the character voices. While I kept reading because the writing was still sufficient to keep interest, I found myself barely immersed, almost skimming, and the book was over right at the moment I considered marking it as DNF. I left the book struggling to remember details that I could write here. Nevertheless, this book may be the right fit for those who enjoy these books around friendships that span decades and emotional/historical/class divides.
fairykind's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
laurrecommends's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
2.25
hollysar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
jrandazzo1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
slaterj's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Infertility
Minor: Chronic illness and Death
sadpear's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Luxurious in a way that much literary fiction does not allow itself to be, this book gives a finely textured portrait of friendship and a vanishing world. As it slips from past to present, it mimics the quality of memory and reverie.
tatianasv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
carolinamoon's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0