Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
dark
emotional
fast-paced
On the surface, this is the story of how once a little girl disappeared from the "nothing bad happens" here kind of small town that popular culture has successfully rebranded/stereotyped as precisely the kind of town where shit happens. The book paints a vivid picture of life in suburbia in the wake of a crime with no resolution. The mystery that it is truly concerned with, though, is that of sisterhood, of family, of tragedy so normal that you don't see it coming—even when the author warns you right on page one.
Bee, the novel's narrator, was a self-conscious middle schooler once, a walking trigger-warning of tween anxiety that is most exacerbated by her younger, more confident sister, Audrina. The adult version of Bee is the one telling us the story, looking back at something that happened one summer that, like a long series of dominoes falling, reshaped her and the "little world" of the title. The deep sorrow of regret and understanding that only comes from time is the most compelling element of this novel and weaved so carefully into the action being narrated that at least this reader sort of forgot there was a crime to be solved.
The epilogue came a bit like a cold splash of water to the face, mostly because arriving at a rather neat ending felt like a bit of a shock, given that this is such a fast read about messy families with messy feelings. But whether you consider it a satisfying conclusion or not, I was moved by how well the author tells us that the wounds of grief linger long past endings.
Bee, the novel's narrator, was a self-conscious middle schooler once, a walking trigger-warning of tween anxiety that is most exacerbated by her younger, more confident sister, Audrina. The adult version of Bee is the one telling us the story, looking back at something that happened one summer that, like a long series of dominoes falling, reshaped her and the "little world" of the title. The deep sorrow of regret and understanding that only comes from time is the most compelling element of this novel and weaved so carefully into the action being narrated that at least this reader sort of forgot there was a crime to be solved.
The epilogue came a bit like a cold splash of water to the face, mostly because arriving at a rather neat ending felt like a bit of a shock, given that this is such a fast read about messy families with messy feelings. But whether you consider it a satisfying conclusion or not, I was moved by how well the author tells us that the wounds of grief linger long past endings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Murder
Minor: Rape
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Reading this book almost made me feel like I had a sister myself. The relationship between Bee and Audrina was believable and touching. Our Little World is a tough look at how tragedy touches families and ripples out to neighborhoods and communities and an accurate portrayal about coming of age in the 1980s. The characters are flawed but complex and forgiveable. I will look for more by the author in the future.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
okay my feelings are very all over the place, much like this book.
I was HOOKED in the beginning like a neighborhood child gone missing and a town full of suspects? excellent, right up my alley. but this was more of a coming of age in a terrifying time type of story.
so, cool, I’m on board with that.
I loved hearing about bee and drina’s experiences as sisters when their friend was taken right under their noses. it was a scary experience that we hear way too much of, and especially during the 80s, the police work didn’t have the technology and resources that it does now.
however, it quickly morphed again from a coming of age story to a depressive my sister’s keeper type of story. like did I want to read about bee and drina wishing each other were dead and then having medical emergencies? not really.
the ending was just so anticlimactic and depressing that I seriously sat there and wondered what kind of story I just forced myself to read. I didn’t even understand what the point was trying to be.
as I mentioned, I really wanted to like this one, and the entire first third captured my attention so quickly. it just completely fell off the rails after that …
the epilogue though confirmed everything I suspected and tried to tie up loose ends, but it was too late by that point.
on a positive note, the writing itself was absolutely beautiful, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california sauvignon blanc
I was HOOKED in the beginning like a neighborhood child gone missing and a town full of suspects? excellent, right up my alley. but this was more of a coming of age in a terrifying time type of story.
so, cool, I’m on board with that.
I loved hearing about bee and drina’s experiences as sisters when their friend was taken right under their noses. it was a scary experience that we hear way too much of, and especially during the 80s, the police work didn’t have the technology and resources that it does now.
however, it quickly morphed again from a coming of age story to a depressive my sister’s keeper type of story. like did I want to read about bee and drina wishing each other were dead and then having medical emergencies? not really.
the ending was just so anticlimactic and depressing that I seriously sat there and wondered what kind of story I just forced myself to read. I didn’t even understand what the point was trying to be.
as I mentioned, I really wanted to like this one, and the entire first third captured my attention so quickly. it just completely fell off the rails after that …
the epilogue though confirmed everything I suspected and tried to tie up loose ends, but it was too late by that point.
on a positive note, the writing itself was absolutely beautiful, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california sauvignon blanc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping
I appreciate the copy of Our Little World from Penguin Dutton Publishers, a publisher I have come to associate with strong literary books that are character driven. Our Little World by Karen Winn is a welcome example of strong writing and character development.
1. Coming of Age: I thought the blend of themes on coming of age with hints of mystery were well done; coming of age in a way always involves that emerging awareness of the adult world and lives, and loss/confusion, that comes with adulthood and developmental transitions. I think this book does reflect this coming of age feeling well.
2. Thoughtful Narrative: The book takes its time to develop the story but moves to a satisfying end. I liked how the end didn't fade into a rushed resolution.
3. Caring for Loved Ones: I liked that this book introduces subtle themes on why we should pay attention to others we love and care for; all too often these days our lives are busy, filled with distraction, and yet the past two years have been a time of returning to being present and engaged. This book is a nice reminder of why slowing down and being in the moment can matter.
Recommended for readers who like Notes on Her Sudden Disappearance, also coming soon.
1. Coming of Age: I thought the blend of themes on coming of age with hints of mystery were well done; coming of age in a way always involves that emerging awareness of the adult world and lives, and loss/confusion, that comes with adulthood and developmental transitions. I think this book does reflect this coming of age feeling well.
2. Thoughtful Narrative: The book takes its time to develop the story but moves to a satisfying end. I liked how the end didn't fade into a rushed resolution.
3. Caring for Loved Ones: I liked that this book introduces subtle themes on why we should pay attention to others we love and care for; all too often these days our lives are busy, filled with distraction, and yet the past two years have been a time of returning to being present and engaged. This book is a nice reminder of why slowing down and being in the moment can matter.
Recommended for readers who like Notes on Her Sudden Disappearance, also coming soon.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Our Little World, Karen Winn’s debut novel, is strangely comforting with its nostalgic reminders of my childhood growing up in the mid-1980s. I say strangely because this is primarily a mystery novel that revolves around the disappearance of a four-year old girl. But Winn has done such a good job of placing the reader in the carefree summer days of 1985 as this novel opens, I felt at home despite the fearful nature of the subject matter. I found myself engrossed in the story, eager to uncover the secrets the pages held.
Our narrator is Bee, who is twelve years old in the summer of 1985, which is two years older than I was that year. I could easily relate to Bee, her younger sister Audrina, and their neighborhood friends. Unending hours playing outdoors, a childhood free of restrictions and expectations. It was a time like no other.
But for Bee this idyllic time is brought to an abrupt end when Max’s four year old sister Sally, Bee’s new neighbors who moved in across the street, disappears while Bee, Audrina, Max, and Sally are spending the day together at the local lake. The events of this traumatic day spark a change in Bee’s life that ripples through her family, her neighborhood, and her town.
Bee is a complicated character with her own set of problems. She’s very jealous of her sister, who she feels is more popular, prettier, and their father’s favorite. Bee and Audrina have supportive parents, but they aren’t very affectionate with the sisters, and they also seem to have problems in their marriage. Like many siblings, Bee and Audrina can be very close at times and very cruel to each other, as well. And as the next year unfolds after the disappearance of Sally, we see how Bee’s life is intertwined with this event, how she internalizes all her fears, makes poor decisions, and finds herself closely observing the people that inhabit her little cul-de-sac.
Our Little World is a quick read, and while I was entranced with the story, I found myself mostly enjoying the setting of a close neighborhood in the 1980s. This one is very well-written, and the mystery remained unsolved for me until the reveal, which always enhances the experience. If you’re a fan of mysteries, stories about sisters, or getting lost in nostalgia, be sure to add this one to your summer reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
Our narrator is Bee, who is twelve years old in the summer of 1985, which is two years older than I was that year. I could easily relate to Bee, her younger sister Audrina, and their neighborhood friends. Unending hours playing outdoors, a childhood free of restrictions and expectations. It was a time like no other.
But for Bee this idyllic time is brought to an abrupt end when Max’s four year old sister Sally, Bee’s new neighbors who moved in across the street, disappears while Bee, Audrina, Max, and Sally are spending the day together at the local lake. The events of this traumatic day spark a change in Bee’s life that ripples through her family, her neighborhood, and her town.
Bee is a complicated character with her own set of problems. She’s very jealous of her sister, who she feels is more popular, prettier, and their father’s favorite. Bee and Audrina have supportive parents, but they aren’t very affectionate with the sisters, and they also seem to have problems in their marriage. Like many siblings, Bee and Audrina can be very close at times and very cruel to each other, as well. And as the next year unfolds after the disappearance of Sally, we see how Bee’s life is intertwined with this event, how she internalizes all her fears, makes poor decisions, and finds herself closely observing the people that inhabit her little cul-de-sac.
Our Little World is a quick read, and while I was entranced with the story, I found myself mostly enjoying the setting of a close neighborhood in the 1980s. This one is very well-written, and the mystery remained unsolved for me until the reveal, which always enhances the experience. If you’re a fan of mysteries, stories about sisters, or getting lost in nostalgia, be sure to add this one to your summer reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, Murder