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rebelqueen's review
1.0
Pretentious AF. This is hardly coming of age. I like poetry and literature, but this was not for me.
kaylacalvillo91's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
"And say the big break came, or say it never did, say you launched yourself full speed into the enterprise of writing. Would it matter, finally, that only some small portion of the earth's people had ever heard of you or your work? No, you told yourself. Because there would still be singing. There would still be the love."
An introspective book about when nothing feels right in your adult life. You and your boss don't get along, you aren't overly enthused about your job--but you're not not enthused by your job?--, your relationships are growing a little stale, and everyone around you thinks that you can do better but this is as good as it gets?
When Carla arrives to her landscaping job for a new client, she meets Viridian, a poet who begins a catalyst of events that begin to change the way Carla views herself and her life. Carla finds passion in poetry--not that she's any good at it, but at long last, something she likes. She devours all that she can get, even if she doesn't understand it. The only problem is that poetry doesn't exactly provide a stable income. So how long can she keep up her enthusiasm for written word?
I honestly loved Carla's character so much. There were times that I thought she was just so funny, times where she disappointed me, times where her confusion echoed my own. What a solid character! She's so solid that she may as well be a real person. And the other characters, too! Aaron, Boone, Larry the Magnificent, her mother--these characters may as well have been inspired by real life people for Thompson, and that's what makes this book so compelling.
This book is going to find its way into some young twenty-something's hands and it's going to change her life. It's going to let her know that not everything is as terrible as it seems and that you're allowed to be confused. That it works out, one way or another, and not in ways you expect. That you can unintentionally start a fire and put it out and feel so embarrassed you could almost die. Okay, maybe not that last one. Maybe? Well, we'll see what the future holds...
An introspective book about when nothing feels right in your adult life. You and your boss don't get along, you aren't overly enthused about your job--but you're not not enthused by your job?--, your relationships are growing a little stale, and everyone around you thinks that you can do better but this is as good as it gets?
When Carla arrives to her landscaping job for a new client, she meets Viridian, a poet who begins a catalyst of events that begin to change the way Carla views herself and her life. Carla finds passion in poetry--not that she's any good at it, but at long last, something she likes. She devours all that she can get, even if she doesn't understand it. The only problem is that poetry doesn't exactly provide a stable income. So how long can she keep up her enthusiasm for written word?
I honestly loved Carla's character so much. There were times that I thought she was just so funny, times where she disappointed me, times where her confusion echoed my own. What a solid character! She's so solid that she may as well be a real person. And the other characters, too! Aaron, Boone, Larry the Magnificent, her mother--these characters may as well have been inspired by real life people for Thompson, and that's what makes this book so compelling.
This book is going to find its way into some young twenty-something's hands and it's going to change her life. It's going to let her know that not everything is as terrible as it seems and that you're allowed to be confused. That it works out, one way or another, and not in ways you expect. That you can unintentionally start a fire and put it out and feel so embarrassed you could almost die. Okay, maybe not that last one. Maybe? Well, we'll see what the future holds...
gillianebersole's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
nahyan's review
3.0
Had high hopes for this book because people compared it to 'writers and lovers' (which is one of my favourite books of all time) and although I enjoyed the coming-of-age aspect of the story, I felt like I couldn't connect to the characters and ultimately made it a forgettable book. However loved the writing and was able to read the whole book in a couple of sittings. It was interesting to learn about the world of poetry and poets!
kitinlub's review
5.0
A page-turner. I saw myself in Carla, as someone in her early 20s with plenty of uncertainties. Exploring an unfamiliar place, if they could belong.
There are funny characters, annoying ones, and second-hand emotions. It's a charming story with a satisfying ending. Which is rare, cause books nowadays have endings that leave u on your own to figure it out, which really annoys me. Anyways, I loved it!
There are funny characters, annoying ones, and second-hand emotions. It's a charming story with a satisfying ending. Which is rare, cause books nowadays have endings that leave u on your own to figure it out, which really annoys me. Anyways, I loved it!
asira's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Slow at first but picks up pretty quickly and becomes quite interesting. The writing style is accessible and allows you to speed through the book. Not a fan of the main character’s partner or the fact that she ended up with him, seeing as he put her down most of the time and never really encouraged the new path she was taking for the entirety of this book, but whatevs lol
chelseymccrae's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
nicktballa's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0