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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This stunning and delightfully crafted novel is at once a laugh-til-you-hiccup view of the midwest and a near-mythical romp through the vagaries of academics. There is not a topic it doesn't satirize with a wink, from farm life to conspiracies to impeccable secretaries to navel-gazing novelists to maddening money-lovers to college relationships. It is definitely unlike anything else I've ever read.
Jane Smiley left Iowa State right before I arrived there as a graduate student, so I never knew her personally, but I can say that the school I attended in the late 90's is very much the same one she lampoons in this book, although fortunately I didn't read it until much later. (I'm pretty sure I recognize a lot of the characters in the book as professors in the English department, and it was probably a lot easier to get to know them without Smiley's ideas cluttering up my own impressions.) If you went to any kind of land grant college, I think you'll find a lot to relate to here.
i hope somebody knew what this was about - i certainly don't. The blurb is promising but the book a disappointment
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is just endlessly delightful, its many characters and plotlines are all equally entertaining and both lovingly and bitingly observed. It’s amazing how well it holds up over 30 years later (so much mansplaining before the term was even invented!) I think this is at least my 3rd time reading it and I love it just as much.
Suzanne Toren also does a great job as narrator.
Suzanne Toren also does a great job as narrator.
slow moving character study...I wasn't in the mood so I skimmed most of it.