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jbridges99's review against another edition
3.0
I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program. It did not influence my rating or review.
Overall this was a good read and held my attention. It was different than what I expected from reading the jacket description. I wasn't sure I was going to like the writing style as it bounced back/forth between present and past but once I got used to that, it wasn't a problem and was a fairly easy and quick read. In additions, since this was originally published in Norwegian and translated to English, I was please with how well the language and concepts were translated to English and retained their meaning and context. I've read other books written in another language and then translated to English where this was not the case.
The writing was solid and the characters had depth. While I could understand their actions and have empathy for them, I didn't particularly care for any of them. They each had their own issues which made me relate to them but also dislike them. The parents are so self-absorbed with their own issues, both present and past, that they don't see the issues going on with their children, especially Alma.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending. While there was closure for some events, there was much left unanswered as to the characters' future and their relationships with each other. After all the build up and development of the characters, their issues and dysfunctions, it seemed a bit rushed in the end. If you like a book that wraps up every detail of the characters future in a nice package with a bow at end of the book, you will be left wondering with this one.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book.
Overall this was a good read and held my attention. It was different than what I expected from reading the jacket description. I wasn't sure I was going to like the writing style as it bounced back/forth between present and past but once I got used to that, it wasn't a problem and was a fairly easy and quick read. In additions, since this was originally published in Norwegian and translated to English, I was please with how well the language and concepts were translated to English and retained their meaning and context. I've read other books written in another language and then translated to English where this was not the case.
The writing was solid and the characters had depth. While I could understand their actions and have empathy for them, I didn't particularly care for any of them. They each had their own issues which made me relate to them but also dislike them. The parents are so self-absorbed with their own issues, both present and past, that they don't see the issues going on with their children, especially Alma.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending. While there was closure for some events, there was much left unanswered as to the characters' future and their relationships with each other. After all the build up and development of the characters, their issues and dysfunctions, it seemed a bit rushed in the end. If you like a book that wraps up every detail of the characters future in a nice package with a bow at end of the book, you will be left wondering with this one.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book.
dsbressette's review against another edition
3.0
Written by a Norwegian author, it was a bit tough to get into at first. There are a lot of threads at the beginning that get tied up as the book goes along. Although there is a mystery in this book, it doesn't get solved in a satisfying way. This story is more about the other characters in the book and how they react to each other both before and after the murder.
manaledi's review against another edition
3.0
DNF. I couldn't bring myself to like any of these characters and they began to drag on me so I would avoid reading this so I stopped. Maybe just me though
kgarciabug's review against another edition
4.0
An strange mix of sentimentality and bitterness, The Cold Song reads easily, but has a thicker undertone. It's that bitter undertone that kept me reading and reading. "The Cold Song" is not a story about a murder, so much as it is a novel about the aftermath of a death. The book delves into the complex nature of a strained marriage, rather than the hype of murder, which sets it apart and makes it a great yet sober read.
kaileycool's review against another edition
5.0
Outline for my eventual review:
- communication
- Irma?
- the Wasteland and A Small, Good Thing
- communication
- Irma?
- the Wasteland and A Small, Good Thing
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended by Becky K. Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Scold%20song%20ullmann__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Character. plot, tight prose, this book has everything. Is it a suspense/mystery in the traditional sense? No, despite the suspenseful elements. It is simply the story of a family, complexilly told (did I just make up an adverb?)
kristen_howe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
crimsonpermanentassurance's review against another edition
3.0
An odd book: Odd in construction, odd in substance; and however well-written, it left me cold and feeling oddly detached.
berthe33's review against another edition
4.0
Secrets past and present seem to rule this family. It is all in what no one WANTS to talk about, nothing substantive, everythin surface...so like today's families. Ullman's writing is precise, undemonstrative, very like Siri and her family. A great study in family dynamics...and nothing will really change.