Reviews

Small World by Laura Zigman

jacque18's review

Boring characters amd a very umcompelling plot

kizzy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

Involves the institutionalization of a disabled child

lauriebwhite's review against another edition

4.0

Cute/ clever…. A slow burn about a dysfunctional family.

atayah1980's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

udfirefly's review against another edition

3.0

Two middle aged sisters moving in together and having to reconcile their past differences stemming from childhood? Yes, please. Unfortunately I was more attached to the childhood storyline than the present day, as the adult sisters’ relationship seemed forced and unrealistic for 50-year-old women. Another book where I appreciated the idea more than the execution.

ilovestory's review against another edition

3.0

I marked some passages in the first 30 pages, really liking the writing. But I never felt involved with the characters, and was rather annoyed with them all.

momji's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The relationship of two sisters who live together after each getting divorced was messy and realistic. I was moved by the complicated emotions that they had regarding their mother’s care of their disabled sister, and how they never felt that they mattered by comparison. It was touching and thought provoking.
On the other hand, their relationship and involvement with their upstairs neighbors got a little over-the-top.
On the whole, a really good read.

smalltownbookmom's review

3.0

I was really hoping to love this one more but it might have just not been great for audio. Ostensibly a domestic fiction story about two grown sisters, both divorced who end up as roommates. We get to know what their life was like growing up with a younger sister with mental disabilities. The story alternates timelines and has good disability rep (both in the past and present - one sister has MS). It just didn't flow great for me and I had a hard time really getting invested in this one. An okay, not great read for me - not one that will be super memorable. Recommended for fans of books like Laurie Frankel's One two three.

ecarter12's review against another edition

i was annoyed with the whole upstairs neighbor thing and how long it was dragging on. but then page 255 & after made it all better

theperfecthour's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75