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lnb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
well, i love the way lorrie moore uses language, but this novel wasn't terribly successful to me plot-wise... a weird little (big) book
smbla's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a huge fan of post 9/11 specific literature-I did ,however,love the smallness of this story and the eloquent prose Lorrie Moore employed. We have all been Tassie and regretted an act or an inaction.
The story takes place in a small Midwestern college town. Tassie is from a small farming community her Father farms designer produce, much sought after in Chicago and larger cities highly unusual in their town. Moore draws on several stereotypes and prejudices but does not let the plot get mired in them.
Tassie is hired by Sarah as a nanny in advance of Sarah and Charles' planned adoption. The story evolves into lies, loss, fear in the most normal of progressions. Although not a warm story it is a thought provoking and ultimately a haunting tale that is worth the read.
The story takes place in a small Midwestern college town. Tassie is from a small farming community her Father farms designer produce, much sought after in Chicago and larger cities highly unusual in their town. Moore draws on several stereotypes and prejudices but does not let the plot get mired in them.
Tassie is hired by Sarah as a nanny in advance of Sarah and Charles' planned adoption. The story evolves into lies, loss, fear in the most normal of progressions. Although not a warm story it is a thought provoking and ultimately a haunting tale that is worth the read.
christiek's review against another edition
I am sometimes dismayed by how often it seems I am abandoning books. Oh well. I have a large to be read stack and the library lets me have them for only so long.
In 6 days I got only 73 pages into this book. I was not drawn to pick it up at all. It takes meandering turns to tell slightly amusing stories or witty observations, but it takes so many and they aren't all that funny, that the story has no chance to build a head of steam.
In 6 days I got only 73 pages into this book. I was not drawn to pick it up at all. It takes meandering turns to tell slightly amusing stories or witty observations, but it takes so many and they aren't all that funny, that the story has no chance to build a head of steam.
julieacf's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
kasiabrenna's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to give this more like 2.5 stars. It's Lorrie Moore, so of course there are some lovely turns of phrase, lots of her particular kind of humor, and some amazing descriptions. However, the plot (and the lack thereof) was incredibly frustrating. I'm not the plot police, I have loved many a meandering, plot-free novel. What is frustrating about this one is that about one third of the way through it appears to be going somewhere, and somewhere intriguing at that, but then it goes nowhere and we are back to the aimless meandering for a big chunk at the end. Also, there are more than a few really unbelievable plot points that I found jarring. I was pretty disappointed.
nickie184's review against another edition
4.0
I have read most of this novel in big chunks of reading time, and I love the feeling of diving into a story and sort of marinating in it. I mostly love the protagonist/narrator, and I have a lot of sympathy and empathy for all her life trials. And the descriptions of places and plants is quite lovely. I'm curious to see what my book group will make of it tomorrow morning.
_pickle_'s review against another edition
2.0
A book of no great charm but no great flaw, except possibly the overworked language. And in a book that comes close to a hanging offense. Take the voice of the main character: despite being a young college student the main character sounds far more like what I imagine the author would sound like. The author shows off too much.
The story was only just passable. It was melodramatic and predictable and because of that none of the events had an deep emotional impact. This book feels like it is trying to tell many things but in the end fails to tell anything well or believably.
There are much better books to read than this. Skip.
The story was only just passable. It was melodramatic and predictable and because of that none of the events had an deep emotional impact. This book feels like it is trying to tell many things but in the end fails to tell anything well or believably.
There are much better books to read than this. Skip.