Reviews

Margarettown by Gabrielle Zevin

shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition

2.0

I've loved most every book of Zevin's, but this one fell short. I just couldn't get it, I guess. The storyline was bizarre and choppy and the characters were unlikeable.

azlanm's review against another edition

mysterious reflective 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

3.5

jessicamaria's review against another edition

reflective

3.5

romafo's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

margaretmechinus's review against another edition

1.0

I thought this was a book I would enjoy. Nope.

bouldermimi's review against another edition

2.0

Read 6/21/2023 - Audio

I'm a bit confused by this story. Definitely not a conventional love story, honestly, it kind of pissed me off. I really do enjoy Zevin's writing, but this one was a bit too... eccentric? Maybe I just didn't get it.

A day later and I thought a little more about this book. I get that when you love a woman, you have to love every variation of that woman. There is the youthful, innocent version, the melancholy one, the aged and weathered, etc. But all these different versions are within one body, unlike Margaret and all her iterations. N did love all the Margarets, unfortunately, love couldn't keep them together or lift the "curse." This relationship was just messy.

maria_reads76's review against another edition

3.5

Ever since The Storied Life of AJ Fickery was one of my favorite reads of 2021 I've been working my way through Zevin’s back catalog.  The results have been mixed (I love her writing so much, but many of the stories have been…strange).  This one was so bizarre, but I did enjoy most of it - even if it made my brain hurt trying to figure out what the heck was going on. 😂 I'm still not entirely sure what it was - but it was beautifully written (and the audiobook is expertly performed!).  Much of this book reads like a fairy tale (or a fever dream?) but there are some lovely insights about loving someone through all of their changes and challenges and those parts are really well done and heartfelt.  I would have liked a bit more explanation of what was really going on, but I think the ambiguity was part of the magic… we each get to decide what's real.  This wasn't my favorite of hers, but I feel like it's going to stick with me.

lillianjv's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.25

Characters 4

Atmosphere/Setting 2

Writing Style 5

Plot 5

Intrigue 3

Logic/Relationships 4

Enjoyment 1

3.42

mooncerulean's review against another edition

3.0

Not as strong as her other books. I like the magical feel but it also confuses me.
The idea of leaving behind a trail of women you once were while you progress to age is fascinating and paints a great mental picture. This helped me a lot to become more okay with how distanced I feel to my past.

sharppointysticks's review against another edition

3.0

Short and quirky, but I do enjoy Zevin's writing.

“I am large, I contain multitudes.”

~Walt Whitman