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dunnadam's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Saw this book all over St John's on a recent visit and was intrigued by the summary of the story. The book is even better painting a strong life-filled image of a small fishing village in rural Newfoundland, one where a woman was born, had five children and died all in the same house. Coping with modernization while staying true to yourself is the story here and in the second half I was hooked, couldn't put it down.
celticthistle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lisamchuk's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this as an audiobook, which made the time jumps a bit tricky to keep track of if I wasn’t paying absolutely 100% attention. As such, I often had no idea if the story I was listening too was the past or present. (This was the first time I tried an audiobook though, so this is my problem, not necessarily the story’s?) And while the action moves...slowly, I did enjoy this snapshot of island life in Newfoundland. Jessie’s big plot moment half way through threw me a little though as I thought that was the end (nope, 4 more hours to go). The characters were colourful enough and darn that dog for getting to me! I cared enough in the end to tear up, even though I saw the ending coming from the beginning. I was more interested in the setting going in so I was satisfied, but I can see how some might not like the pace. I’d still recommend it, but follow it up with A Man Called Ovie, which is similar but seems to move a bit quicker.
teresaalice's review against another edition
4.0
Although I found Crummey's first book that I read (Galore) oddly disturbing, I felt compelled to read this one as well. If you like reading about one man's slow descent into madness by solitary lifestyle, then this is the book for you. I was wrecked emotionally by the end of it, and since I'd been stuck inside most of the weekend with a stomach bug, became similarly stir-crazy by the end of it.
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Crummy became one of my favourite Canadian authors after I read Galore last year. This book cemented my love. I can't say that I loved it quite as much as Galore (this might be more of a 3.5 star kind of book), but it was wonderful nonetheless. A deliciously haunted tale about a deep attachment to place and land. Crummy includes a reference in his book to stories about Newfoundland and how the authors of such stories don't know a thing about maritime living. I've never lived on the East Coast of Canada but I like to think that Crummy is the exception to his own rule--creating a vision of remote island life that is bursting with life and authenticity.
emsmeat's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I will be lying to my work book club about what I thought of this. Boring boring boring, kill the only good character halfway through, and the ending is comparable to the end of LOST. 2.0
dil_emmah'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
poppy_d_dog's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0