Reviews - The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher

477 reviews for:

The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher

E.M. Anderson

3.77 AVERAGE

bookishlass's review against another edition

4.0

A fun twist on the classic "chosen one" tale!

Content warnings: death, physical abuse, anxiety, loss of a sister

dandybrandy2011's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

lines__lines's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This book strikes an interesting mix of trauma and hopefulness. It's a little too heavy to fit into cozy fantasy, but there's found family, a touch of romance, and a bit more of a lighthearted tone which would recommend it towards the "cozy" label. I was glad it didn't shy away from or minimize the struggles of the characters, though. It was nice to read characters with clear anxieties and traumas that impacted their ability to accomplish tasks. Seeing how they tried to help each other, even if it was imperfect help, was something that made this book feel a little more hopeful overall.

I appreciated that Edna is a very (grand)motherly figure as the main character, and that's an idea I'd love to see more of.

(especially moms with villain kids)

She's a great center for a found family theme. I wished she had been a touch younger, perhaps, since the level of care in the nursing home indicated to me that - though her aches and pains are not ever forgotten - she wouldn't really be physically capable of a lot of the things she does. I appreciated that a character with limited mobility had a starring role in what is traditionally a very physically demanding sort of quest and had or acquired aids to address that, but there were still moments that stretched my belief to closer to a breaking point than I would have liked.

A small nit-pick was that though in third person perspective, the narrative would shift between focusing on a particular character's perspective suddenly in the middle of a scene. It didn't impede my ability to follow the story, but the shifts were sometimes abrupt and I wished there had been little section breaks with character changes.

Also, the ending felt a little rushed to me. I would have liked a little more time to process everything after the big finale. It feels very much like wrapping up the book with a little bow that looks pretty, but doesn't quite tie up all the loose ends. I liked where we end up, but I just wanted a little more time with everyone and a few more details on some aspects!

These are all relatively minor flaws and I still found this to be an enjoyable read overall. I'd certainly consider reading more from this author since I especially appreciate the inclusion of neurodivergent and otherwise non-traditional characters in a classic sort of fantasy plot.

ordwayhomebody's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kcoveles's review against another edition

2.0

I was hoping for a reinvented “chosen one” story whose plot was not moved forward by the actions of an immature, petulant child. With this book, we are introduced to Edna, a mature nursing home resident who is told that she is the chosen one and must undergo a quest to save a magical world from a dragon-riding bad guy. Although Edna herself does indeed bring a new less able-bodied perspective to an otherwise stereotypical journey, all the usual troupes are still here, many covered by her younger entourage and with most of the plot movement inspired by…an immature, petulant child. Sigh.

Beatrice, the magical flying carpet with a personality, is the underutilized bright spot in this book.

k8so's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional mysterious 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: Complicated

Fun fantasy adventure, creative

barcodeborrower's review against another edition

1.0

{DNF @ 55%}

ughhhh I wanted to like this! The premise was great. A twist on the "chosen one" trope with an 83 year old MC. However, it just didn't hit the marks for me. I tried to hold on and see it through as long as I could, but I found the book was less about Edna and more about chasing Clem around when she storms off upset about something.