Reviews

Unless by Carol Shields

mbsteblein's review against another edition

3.0

We had this on our book club list forever and finally got around to it, only to be a little disappointed. I'm not even sure I can determine what I didn't like about it but it didn't meet whatever expectations I had. I have enjoyed at least one other Carol Shields book, so maybe I ought to re-read this at some point.

boose's review against another edition

3.0

read for: special topics in english literature

thebacklistborrower's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

You won’t see many of my favourite books on Bookstagram because I just don’t know how to write reviews of them. How do I tell others that this book changed my life without sounding trite? So all my favourite books -- Tamora Pierce, In the Slender Margin, Unless -- all are missing from this feed. Until today! I’ve already spoken about my experience uncovering the women’s rage in Unless, but never a review. 

Unless is the story of Reta Winters, a writer of “women’s fiction”, who seemed to live a perfect life, until her daughter Norah quits college to live on a Toronto street corner with only a sign that says “Goodness”. The book is Reta’s internal monologue as she deals with the trials of her life, as a woman, as a writer, as a woman writer of women’s fiction, and struggling to figure out what to do about Norah.

Page by page, this book had feelings and scenes that I have never read in a book before. I copied out full pages of quotes of Norah’s reflections on sexism, and male privilege, and her own rage at the world that denigrates her and her work. What I found most interesting was the ongoing thread of figuring out what happened to Norah. All of Reta’s friends and family had their own theories, projected from their own insecurities, and the reader is invited to consider the same-- what would make you give up your life?

Secondly, Reta’s denigration as a “woman writer writing about a woman who writes” was not taken lightly. While she stays silent, the book is full of internal monologue that shouts “SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” at a misogynist male reviewer she meets for coffee, sarcastic, mean comments that she only wishes to speak aloud, and looks that any woman knows how to make but few men know how to see. I saw myself in this book, and I think many women would. 

I think this was the second book I read this year. It has not been surpassed by any other book, and I don’t expect it to be. If you’re looking for a sharp, interesting, feminist read, you won’t go wrong with Unless.

bjrbeau's review against another edition

4.0

A bit of a grind, but I love the explanation for Norah’s situations.  Completely feasible IMO.

Love the goofy new editor and his bit with Lois.

yamuna_rai's review against another edition

informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ewynn610's review against another edition

2

oliviasbookshop's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

mirgon03's review against another edition

4.0

Al principio, este libro no me estaba gustando nada. Lo he leído para la asignatura de World Literatures in English y no fue hasta el lunes cuando empezamos a analizarlo que logré entenderlo.

Es un libro que hay que leer despacio, fijándote en los detalles y dejándote empapar por la narración.

En un comienzo, parece que nada está sucediendo, que es una mera descripción y sucesión de datos y hechos cotidianos, pero conforme avanzas te das cuenta de la riqueza que guarda.

Es una historia que te envuelve en un ambiente de comfort pero a la vez de melancolía. Con las palabras, con cada capítulo, la autora genera un universo a tu alrededor en el que las imágenes te rodean y crean una nueva perspectiva.

Ojalá haber leído todo el libro como he leído las últimas 30 páginas. Dejándome mecer por el ritmo lento de las palabras.

Correr solo consigue agobiarte, te tienes que dejar balancear al ritmo que marca la autora.

Una vez entendido esto lo he podido disfrutar muchismo, comprender con mayor profundidad a los personajes y cerrar con muy buen sabor la lectura.

Un 8/10.

amyrhoda's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

nadybl's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Unique. Une auteure qui écrit à propos d’une auteure qui écrit à propos d’une auteure.  Réflection sur la condition féminine, sur l’écriture sur la famille. Intelligent et intéressant.
“This is why I read monologue, so I can  escape my own unrelenting monologue”