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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This was a good poignant family tale by a great author. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but for some reason, I couldn't follow her "folk tales" that she used as analogies throughout the book. Maybe it just reminded me too much of high school English.
I loved everything about this book. The characters were my kind of people. The setting was familiar and believable. The story, oh the story. It was so good. Thank you Joshilyn Jackson for writing beautiful books!
I have to admit that I struggled with The Opposite of Everyone. I have been a big fan of Joshilyn’s past books and raved about her to my book club. When asked to review The Opposite of Everyone I was so excited. I am not sure if it is the Hindu mythology, which I knew nothing about, or maybe it was just the mood I’ve been in lately.
Joshilyn included many incredibly tough subjects into the pages of this book. There is the estranged relationship of a mother/daughter, an abandoned daughter, foster care, and some alcoholism. None of these are easy to write about. Yet, in this story they are handled realistically. They are not just mentioned and brushed over. They are taken into the story and made part of the character’s life. They also make the story a little hard to handle sometimes.
Paula was an amazing character. She had so many strikes against her. She starts her life with her mother leaving her with unloving grandparents and then a life in the foster system. The fact that she make something of herself is wonderfully amazing. She becomes the tough as nails lawyer handling high profile divorces while making a ton of money. This was always her life goal and she managed to do it with hard work and determination. I loved Paula’s character. She is not a character that you will look back on and think awe, I wonder what else happen with her. She doesn’t evoke sympathy, she demands respect.
The Opposite of Everything is not a book for everyone. It is not an easy read. While it was not the book for me, it certainly will be for many people. I recommend checking it out.
Joshilyn included many incredibly tough subjects into the pages of this book. There is the estranged relationship of a mother/daughter, an abandoned daughter, foster care, and some alcoholism. None of these are easy to write about. Yet, in this story they are handled realistically. They are not just mentioned and brushed over. They are taken into the story and made part of the character’s life. They also make the story a little hard to handle sometimes.
Paula was an amazing character. She had so many strikes against her. She starts her life with her mother leaving her with unloving grandparents and then a life in the foster system. The fact that she make something of herself is wonderfully amazing. She becomes the tough as nails lawyer handling high profile divorces while making a ton of money. This was always her life goal and she managed to do it with hard work and determination. I loved Paula’s character. She is not a character that you will look back on and think awe, I wonder what else happen with her. She doesn’t evoke sympathy, she demands respect.
The Opposite of Everything is not a book for everyone. It is not an easy read. While it was not the book for me, it certainly will be for many people. I recommend checking it out.
It took me a little while to engage with the story, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The weaving of mythology with flashbacks resulted in a surprisingly deep and moving story about family and the connections we have in and with the world.
I listened to this book, read by the author. I found it mesmerizing at times, and the story and characters pulled me along...willingly. Glad to have stumbled upon the book and will look for more by the author.
Like other of Jackson's books, this story was full of quirky, endearing characters. Paula is a hard, self-centered divorce lawyer, called in to handle the underhanded details of battle that her partners don't want to deal with. She was raised by her free-spirited nomadic mother, who travels from man to man and town to town, until events land her in jail and Paula in foster care. The story of the past and the story of the present intertwine with stories of Hindu deities throughout the book.
Like Moonlight on Linoleum and the Glass Castle, this book reveals the paradox between the wounds of a poor, neglectful, and unstable childhood and the impossibly strong, hair-strand-fine bonds of family. Though not a memoir, Jackson provides a deep and moving narrative of Paula Vauss, a woman who finds success above impossible odds, but through reconciliation with her past, achieves peace, love and family as well. I enjoyed the quality of the writing and the nuggets of humor and ass-kicking tossed throughout.
This was a very compelling story, and I can't wait to get my hands on some more Joshilyn Jackson books.
Not my favorite book by Jackson. She is still an amazing author, but she set the bar so high that I can't give it a 4 or 5.
Loved this book, the story of an interesting development of creating a family with "found" people and lore.