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webblywebb's review against another edition
3.0
I heard the concept and started the book thinking it would contain poignant observations and deep remarks on life, tinged with tragedy, maybe a little hilarity, and in those regards it sadly fell flat. I give it the benefit of the doubt; maybe I read it at the wrong time or maybe I rushed through it, but it didn't impact me in the way I thought or hoped it would. I'll give it a reread in the future, but for now colour me disappointed and slightly underwhelmed
cascadienne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Slow to get going, but this was an excellent read. I enjoyed getting to know Johnny and figure out the ultimate mysteries of Eloise’s talent and what happened with all that money as the week unfolded. I’d love for there to be a sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse
Minor: Abandonment and Adult/minor relationship
nolasis17's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really engaging and fast-paced debut novel. The magical realism was a great way to tie in poignant observations of racism in the South in the US and how that has shifted over time— or remained the same. Hubbard’s writing style is very reminiscent of the unique style I’ve seen from writers with ties to New Orleans, such as Jesmyn Ward—who is also an excellent magical realism writer. These types of writers are treasures and pack so much value in their stories.
I look forward to Hubbard’s future works!
I look forward to Hubbard’s future works!
hiimkayte's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but I had a hard time connecting with it. It felt like driving around and visiting my relatives as a kid, even though they were all good and interesting people, in practice this visits weren’t that exciting.
That’s what this book felt like, the real plot and interesting stuff was in the past, and having to get at it through bits and pieces chopped it up too much so I wasn’t as connected to it as I wanted to be. It felt like washed up superheroes reliving their glory days.
That’s what this book felt like, the real plot and interesting stuff was in the past, and having to get at it through bits and pieces chopped it up too much so I wasn’t as connected to it as I wanted to be. It felt like washed up superheroes reliving their glory days.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of a loving but fractured family with a hefty dose of magical realism thrown in. Johnny Ribkins is in his 70s now, but in his younger years, he was a part of the Justice Committee, a group that used their special talents to bolster the Civil Rights movement. Johnny can draw maps of anywhere, even places he’s never been. His brother could climb sheer walls without any handholds. Now his brother has passed away and Johnny owes the wrong guy a lot of money. In his quest to scrounge up enough money to pay off his debt, he ends up on a road trip with his 13-year-old niece, who has some Ribkins powers of her own.
Funny, touching, and a little offbeat--this book was everything I wanted it to be.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Funny, touching, and a little offbeat--this book was everything I wanted it to be.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
rizbee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
i loved the premise of this book, but i feel like it’s just missing something. i wasn’t very interested in the characters, but the plot seemed to be going well. at least at the beginning. honestly, there was a lot in this that didn’t make sense to me or that i thought wasn’t explained to the extent it should’ve been. i liked the roadtrip aspect and its correlation to visiting the past, but nothing besides that drew me in. i want to like it, especially because i think there’s some important messaging in the story, but i don’t see myself remembering much of the storyline or characters.
fairywren's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hoosgracie's review against another edition
3.0
Set in Florida, this novel is about a family with talents. Their talents are often odd, for example the deceased patriarch could see colors no one else could see. The story centers around Johnny, who can make maps, and his niece Eloise who catches things. They set out on a road trip to dig up the money Johnny needs to pay off his former boss.
This was a meandering story. It may have been the narrator (I listened to this), but I cam to detest Johnny. I found him to be annoying and patronizing to his niece. I was glad when I was done.
This was a meandering story. It may have been the narrator (I listened to this), but I cam to detest Johnny. I found him to be annoying and patronizing to his niece. I was glad when I was done.