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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
everyone raved about this book when it first came out, so i became entirely too intrigued and picked up a copy from the library. can we say overrated, boring, and trying way too hard? i couldnt understand the hoopla over the pedestrian writing and oh-so-quirky situations presented in this book. i finished it by sheer force of will and complete stubbornness alone.
Well written, quick read, nice change of pace from required reading of grad school!
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I was just so damn enamored with this collection of linked short stories, all of which, save for one, concern the life of Jane. These stories act as snapshots of a life in the process of being lived, without anyone, or thing, telling her what that life is supposed to look like or how it's supposed to be lived. The glimpses into this life accentuate the moments when we wish we could be told who we are, when we realize our lives are not as momentous as we may think they are, that we're just one person out of many. Gradually, Jane's experiences accumulate as she tries to define herself, finding her place in the world and establishing her place in her own life. Ultimately, a story about trying to be yourself when you don't know who that person is.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm ashamed to admit I was looking for an easy chick lit read in this book (escape from dissertation?), but I was pleasantly surprised. Certainly not fluffy chick lit at all! Also, it's a collection of short stories, not a novel, though the same characters are seen throughout most of the stories. It is easy to read, but well-written and there is a nice amount of depth, character development and real feeling in the stories. Jane is a great character, funny, smart and real, and Bank's stories full of feeling and sympathetic human experience.
A timely read, especially in the light that I'm leaving a previous stage of life, proceeding into another, with anticipation, fear and even a tad of wistfulness. I guess "swimming" is indeed an art, once you get comfortable with the water, everything will flow. However, that is only for you alone to learn and experience
I have been reading easy books of late. Sherri lent this to me, and it was over in a day or two. "Hunting and Fishing" is men, boys, &c. It is not clever, but I didn't figure that out till it was made very explicit at the end of the book. Perhaps this is because I read this book far too late at night, and, just like what happens to my knitting when I try to do it too late at night, I fail.
The best part of this book is the chapter about the people who live below Jane's aunt. It stands totally alone, and I am glad of that. That part is quite good.
The best part of this book is the chapter about the people who live below Jane's aunt. It stands totally alone, and I am glad of that. That part is quite good.