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daniellewiseman's review against another edition
reflective
fast-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
Love J. Courtney Sullivan’s writing style, but I didn’t love this one as much as Saints for All Occasions
hazelrosen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.25
byp's review
4.0
I love books about generations, which is exactly what this is. I could read about the Kellehers for ages.
stephtherose_'s review
3.0
I read this a while ago. Definitely recommend for the beach or summer etc. Lighter read with a story that doesn't really move mountains if you know what I mean...
book_concierge's review
1.0
Book on CD narrated by Ann Marie Lee
Three generations of Kelleher women descend on the family’s beach-front property one summer. The four women around whom the story revolves have little in common except that they are all part of this dysfunctional family. Their relationships are as rocky as the coast of Maine.
I finished this only because it is a book-club selection. Terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE. The characters are cardboard cutouts. Not a single one of them is anyone I would want to know – even casually – let alone spend significant time with. Matriarch Alice is a closet alcoholic with a huge burden of guilt. Angry at the world, and (with good reason) at herself, she lashes out at everyone in a classic passive-aggressive manner. Daughter-in-law Ann Marie is more concerned with appearances, and decorating her designer doll house, than she is with examining her own relationships and actually connecting with anyone in a meaningful way. Daughter Kathleen is a recovering alcoholic who has fled across the country to escape her crazy family, but obviously hasn’t set aside her anger; she seems intent on alienating and picking fights with everyone while demonstrating her “holier than thou” attitude. Granddaughter Maggie (Kathleen’s child) is a 32-year-old loser who is clinging to a complete jerk of a boyfriend; she needs to grow up and become an adult.
I didn’t like any of them. I wasn’t interested in their stories. I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
Ann Marie Lee does an adequate job performing the audio. Her talent as a voice artist is evident with four women who have to be differentiated.
Three generations of Kelleher women descend on the family’s beach-front property one summer. The four women around whom the story revolves have little in common except that they are all part of this dysfunctional family. Their relationships are as rocky as the coast of Maine.
I finished this only because it is a book-club selection. Terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE. The characters are cardboard cutouts. Not a single one of them is anyone I would want to know – even casually – let alone spend significant time with. Matriarch Alice is a closet alcoholic with a huge burden of guilt. Angry at the world, and (with good reason) at herself, she lashes out at everyone in a classic passive-aggressive manner. Daughter-in-law Ann Marie is more concerned with appearances, and decorating her designer doll house, than she is with examining her own relationships and actually connecting with anyone in a meaningful way. Daughter Kathleen is a recovering alcoholic who has fled across the country to escape her crazy family, but obviously hasn’t set aside her anger; she seems intent on alienating and picking fights with everyone while demonstrating her “holier than thou” attitude. Granddaughter Maggie (Kathleen’s child) is a 32-year-old loser who is clinging to a complete jerk of a boyfriend; she needs to grow up and become an adult.
I didn’t like any of them. I wasn’t interested in their stories. I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
Ann Marie Lee does an adequate job performing the audio. Her talent as a voice artist is evident with four women who have to be differentiated.
jennybun's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The pace drags a lot and the narrator didn’t do a good job of differentiating which character is narrating at any given point. Ending was the best part.
kalemary's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25