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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Very good! A bit of everything....drama, humor, mystery.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I started out really enjoying the narrator. She was witty, sarcastic and fiery. Still, about half way through the book I began to get bored because I had no idea where the story was going. It turned out to be a story of her rapid re-emergence into alcoholism. She also found herself in a romantic rendezvous with the town garbage man. However, every time she is with him she is bashing his aging body and poor state of being - making it very hard to connect with whatever was going on with the two characters.
I had initially thought the book was going to be about her developing a borderline obsessive interest/friendship with the town newbie Rebecca. While their relationship was explored a bit, I feel it would have been a stronger novel had it been developed more deeply.
All in all this book just wasn't for me.
I started out really enjoying the narrator. She was witty, sarcastic and fiery. Still, about half way through the book I began to get bored because I had no idea where the story was going. It turned out to be a story of her rapid re-emergence into alcoholism. She also found herself in a romantic rendezvous with the town garbage man. However, every time she is with him she is bashing his aging body and poor state of being - making it very hard to connect with whatever was going on with the two characters.
I had initially thought the book was going to be about her developing a borderline obsessive interest/friendship with the town newbie Rebecca. While their relationship was explored a bit, I feel it would have been a stronger novel had it been developed more deeply.
All in all this book just wasn't for me.
I enjoyed reading this book like I enjoy a bag of potato chips. It was indulgent enough to read, but it didn't make me feel much. I couldn't relate to the main character, but in that same way it made me curious about her because it was interesting to see into the mind of an alcoholic in denial. The end did have some nice, somewhat shocking twists.
This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to in months. Ann Leary has written a wonderful story with finely tuned characters. I feel like I know these people. And Mary Beth Hurt brought Hildy to life. I swear I have met this real estate agent!
This book was well written and followed an interesting narrative. I really couldn't decide how I felt about the protagonist and I think that may have detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. She comes across as incredibly self-involved at times and is a very unreliable narrator, which I sometimes found very frustrating and other times perplexing. It did add to the suspense and drama in other places. I think her inner turmoil played up against the idyllic Northeastern backdrop was interesting, but sometimes I couldn't get over the "allow me to reveal the seedy underbelly of classic Northeastern life"-ness and the bitter, self pity in the protagonist's voice. Then again, I think that was the point. We all have those thoughts and feelings, just maybe not to that extent.
I wish there was more of an explanation with Rebecca. It built to such a crescendo and then sort of fizzled. Actually, I kind of feel like that with many of the aspects of this book, it built up a lot of things and then took the more mundane route out.
I wish there was more of an explanation with Rebecca. It built to such a crescendo and then sort of fizzled. Actually, I kind of feel like that with many of the aspects of this book, it built up a lot of things and then took the more mundane route out.
I listened to this book on audio. The reader was perfect. The storyline is chock full of detail told humorously by the main character, Hildy Goode. she's an alcoholic in serious denial, who relays the antics of her small town with relish. It was an easy listen so it should be an easy read.
I was amazed by this book. I picked it up after reading a couple of good reviews, and couldn't put it down.
It has an honesty about it, that is not often captured in novels. Hildy is a character that you can love, hate, and pity all at the same time, and the other characters in the novel are just as complex. The writing is near perfection, with occasional repetitions that at first annoyed but then, realizing you are reading about an alcoholic, make perfect sense.
I want to give it 4.5 stars.
It has an honesty about it, that is not often captured in novels. Hildy is a character that you can love, hate, and pity all at the same time, and the other characters in the novel are just as complex. The writing is near perfection, with occasional repetitions that at first annoyed but then, realizing you are reading about an alcoholic, make perfect sense.
I want to give it 4.5 stars.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know where I heard about this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. Other than my initial confusion of where it took place--I thought we were in Wendover, Utah/NV, which just didn't quite make sense.
Hildy Good is from a long-time Wendover family, and is the area's top relator. Or, at least, she was, and thinks she still should be. She is also a functioning alcoholic (more or less), and an unreliable narrator. A bit of a mystery, and because of the narration style, much is a mystery that really isn't. See the spoiler.
A bit of a spoiler about why I loved the writing:
Hildy is the narrator, and as she goes from sober to drunk, her narration style changes. Her self-doubt turns to pride and happiness. And then the next day to confusion over what was real, what was dreamed, what she can't remember. We learn what actually happened and what she said and did just as she does. Which adds mystery to the mystery and mystery where there isn't a mystery.
Hildy Good is from a long-time Wendover family, and is the area's top relator. Or, at least, she was, and thinks she still should be. She is also a functioning alcoholic (more or less), and an unreliable narrator. A bit of a mystery, and because of the narration style, much is a mystery that really isn't. See the spoiler.
A bit of a spoiler about why I loved the writing:
Mrs. Leary is quite the storyteller. This book had me feeling terrible for Hildy, hating Hildy and hoping she met her demise, and then again rooting for her.
And I craved wine the whole time.
And I craved wine the whole time.