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paging_snidget's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and contemplative novel. It had a lot to say about the role of women in society. Sometimes the narrative thread became a little lost though.
montigneyrules's review against another edition
3.0
#readingchallenge2019 (my book with a one word title)
Shield's created a simple story, with scenes (chapters) that read wonderfully as scattered thoughts making a coherent whole, reflecting on life. It was a refreshing, easy read-that felt like peering into someone’s mind-with all their ordinariness. Every portion was an internalized self-criticism.
Even normal writing habits, like repetitiveness, felt calmer through Shield's writing style. For example, being reminded again and again Norah left to be on the streets, didn’t feel it was repetitiveness in the sense of poor writing, but in the sense of inner thoughts, like when I struggle to process something-so I remind myself over and over.
I wasn’t deeply in love with the novel, but I found beauty in the story Shields relayed; the ordinary feelings. Nothing was spectacular-nothing was too over the top. It all felt so real-other reviews comment on heavy handed gender inequality, but I felt the writing wasn’t preachy-just conveying multiple voices. It had a simplicity that made the plot more serious, and the ideas were a thoughtful work of art.
Shield's created a simple story, with scenes (chapters) that read wonderfully as scattered thoughts making a coherent whole, reflecting on life. It was a refreshing, easy read-that felt like peering into someone’s mind-with all their ordinariness. Every portion was an internalized self-criticism.
Even normal writing habits, like repetitiveness, felt calmer through Shield's writing style. For example, being reminded again and again Norah left to be on the streets, didn’t feel it was repetitiveness in the sense of poor writing, but in the sense of inner thoughts, like when I struggle to process something-so I remind myself over and over.
I wasn’t deeply in love with the novel, but I found beauty in the story Shields relayed; the ordinary feelings. Nothing was spectacular-nothing was too over the top. It all felt so real-other reviews comment on heavy handed gender inequality, but I felt the writing wasn’t preachy-just conveying multiple voices. It had a simplicity that made the plot more serious, and the ideas were a thoughtful work of art.
an_enthusiastic_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is a timely treatment of what it means to be a woman in a variety of small roles (the micro) and as an invisible part of the bigger world.
eberico's review against another edition
Picked this one up in the free books mayhem when Babbitt's closed. I don't remember anything about it otherwise.
jedore's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because I loved the Stone Diaries. This one didn't do much for me, although it was well written.
persephen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this book for my degree, and as majority of the books that this certain teacher lectures about, this one was also an immediate favourite of mine. The narration was very well done that I did not even realize the narration's time was catching up to us as the narration progressed. I was so caught up to reading it that, at the end, rather than reading it as a book I was to write an essay on, I read it as a book I read in my free time. It deals with grief, growth with grief and in it's final chapter, when the narrator answers the long-asked question, I was in tears.
stacip_85's review against another edition
3.0
While I was in the process of reading this book I would have given it a strong four. It was engaging I read if quickly as if I couldn't get enough. But now a couple of weeks later I can't actually remember that much about it. I can tell you the basic plot points but nothing more. This isn't the type of book or story that stays with you.
bonnielendrum's review against another edition
5.0
This was my third time through "Unless." It is a jewel in my collection and I bring it out from time to time to examine its facets....to study what makes it work. I still have not figured it out!
cindywindy_blogs's review against another edition
1.0
I was so bored reading this book. It started out boring in the first chapter when she listed all of her works and explained her translations. I'm not one of those type of readers where a book has to immediately grip you in the beginning otherwise you quit. So I kept on reading hoping it would get better... but it didn't.
The book focuses on how Reta deals with her daugher, Norah's, strange decision to live in a shelter and to beg on the streets. Reta starts to believe the reason why Norah became this way is because of some feminist plight. So Reta rants about feminism for a good boring portion of this book and starts to write letters to random people about her daughter and feminism. The story about her daughter Norah was mildy interesting but it always felt like it was the background not the main focus. I did like how in the end, the mystery of why Norah took to begging on the streets in the name of Goodness was revealed, which tied back into an earlier small part in the book.
I felt like I did not get to know any of the characters. Reta's husband, Tom, and their daughters, Natalie & Christine, have no personalities. Their characters are completely flat. The only two people we see any kind of personality are Reta, who is neurotic, and Danielle Westerman, who is unlikeable.
The book focuses on how Reta deals with her daugher, Norah's, strange decision to live in a shelter and to beg on the streets. Reta starts to believe the reason why Norah became this way is because of some feminist plight. So Reta rants about feminism for a good boring portion of this book and starts to write letters to random people about her daughter and feminism. The story about her daughter Norah was mildy interesting but it always felt like it was the background not the main focus. I did like how in the end, the mystery of why Norah took to begging on the streets in the name of Goodness was revealed, which tied back into an earlier small part in the book.
I felt like I did not get to know any of the characters. Reta's husband, Tom, and their daughters, Natalie & Christine, have no personalities. Their characters are completely flat. The only two people we see any kind of personality are Reta, who is neurotic, and Danielle Westerman, who is unlikeable.
meredithwatts's review against another edition
5.0
Thought-provoking. A lot of bigger ideas to digest.