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kpjt_books's review against another edition
4.0
Heard about this one from Nancy Pearl on NPR and really enjoyed it. Quirky writing style - some in letters, some as stream of consciousness and some as conversation. Well crafted and enjoyable read. If you enjoy writers like Faulkner (a personal favorite of mine) you will likely enjoy this. Tender characters telling of their intertwined lives.
brontejane's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like it, but just didn't get it. Parts of it (mostly the parts set in the past) were better than others. But overall I was disappointed.
bentsem's review against another edition
5.0
This story was simple and fantastical at the same time. It reminded me of the book The Big Fish. The characters felt so realistic and the story never strayed too far from plausible but one of the title characters is a talking coyote, so there is a definite question of "What is reality?" The book is hopeful and funny yet incredibly deeply sad, there is war and Alzheimer’s and people who are left behind in both. The tough subjects are handled deftly with a little levity and deep affection. I would highly recommend this book.
theconstantreader's review against another edition
5.0
I'm enamoured with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved each of the characters, the way the book was structured and the overall story.
The language in this book is so moving, close to poetic in parts. A highlighters dream.
Each of the interweaving stories between Etta, Otta and Russell are so interesting and so well done. I think Hooper caught the depths and complexities of their individual relationships and circumstances so perfectly. How complex yet absurd life can be. Are we in fact chess pieces in a higher strategy or not? Do we really seek the answer?
When Etta asked "Hey Bryony, what are your stories?", I thought this is something we should all be asking other people.
Oh, and Russell, most of all, I hold a special place in my heart for him. Don't we all?
The language in this book is so moving, close to poetic in parts. A highlighters dream.
Each of the interweaving stories between Etta, Otta and Russell are so interesting and so well done. I think Hooper caught the depths and complexities of their individual relationships and circumstances so perfectly. How complex yet absurd life can be. Are we in fact chess pieces in a higher strategy or not? Do we really seek the answer?
When Etta asked "Hey Bryony, what are your stories?", I thought this is something we should all be asking other people.
Oh, and Russell, most of all, I hold a special place in my heart for him. Don't we all?
ncrozier's review against another edition
3.0
Etta walks across the country to see the ocean. Otto builds paper mache sculptures. Russell follows caribou. And James is just a talking coyote.
I'm not sure how this book ended.
I'm not sure how this book ended.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable audiobook, with compelling characters and storyline. However it wasn't quite the read I had hoped for. I thought for some reason I would like this a lot more then I did but it was bad in my bad for having to high expectations. 3.7 stars. It was a good read overall!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I like this kind of fiction. Time moves slower, the prose is different. It's even jumpy at times. But I need it in my book diet.
But sure it took some getting used to when there were no quotations marks when someone spoke. It's like no one ever spoke in a way. A silent book, that I read fast because the writing was good.
Etta is over 80 and decides she wants to see the ocean so she packs her things and walks. Otto her husband misses her but tries to cook and bake by himself for once. Their neighbor Russel worries for her, and James is a coyote that she becomes friends with.
In between the walking, and Otto trying to cope, there are passages from the past. Otto growing up, meeting Russell. Etta growing up, and meeting them both. Their life in the village, and then the war coming. I did like the images from the past. But I also liked the present, Otto was interesting.
The end was, honestly I am not sure what happened. Was I supposed to figure it out? Or make my own? Or nothing happened? Beats me.
A good book.
But sure it took some getting used to when there were no quotations marks when someone spoke. It's like no one ever spoke in a way. A silent book, that I read fast because the writing was good.
Etta is over 80 and decides she wants to see the ocean so she packs her things and walks. Otto her husband misses her but tries to cook and bake by himself for once. Their neighbor Russel worries for her, and James is a coyote that she becomes friends with.
In between the walking, and Otto trying to cope, there are passages from the past. Otto growing up, meeting Russell. Etta growing up, and meeting them both. Their life in the village, and then the war coming. I did like the images from the past. But I also liked the present, Otto was interesting.
The end was, honestly I am not sure what happened. Was I supposed to figure it out? Or make my own? Or nothing happened? Beats me.
A good book.
gjamamama's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ori_gina_lity's review against another edition
4.0
Told with childlike innocence Etta and Otto and Russel and James is a refreshing take on the journey of life as 82 year old Etta sets out walking from her hometown in Saskatchewan, Canada to see the sea, leaving behind her husband Otto and close friend Russell. What transpires isn't necessarily believable, but still immensely touching. Hooper's writing style has this rhythmic cadence to it and I was not surprised to find out the author is also a musician. Though the novel ebbs and flows from present day to the memories and longings of all the main characters you hardly notice the switch; it's a constant reminder than life is one "big loop" and as the story progressed I really was impressed with how time was portrayed in this novel. There are many gaps in the narrative, which may be unsettling to some but I think it allows the reader to become apart of these characters story... connect with and interpret the story using their imagination. Really a nice, thoughtful book. 4/5 stars.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
“We have good days and bad days. You told me, once, to just remember to breathe. As long as you can do that, you’re doing something Good, you said. Getting rid of the old, and letting in the new. And, therefore, moving forward. Making progress. That’s all you have to do to move forward, sometimes, you said, just breathe. So don’t worry, Etta, if nothing else, I am still breathing.”
I think I want to listen to this book. I really enjoyed reading it, but listening is a slower process for me than reading and I believe I missed some things as I read through this story.
Hooper has a wonderful tale to tell about people who rarely inhabit the novels I read. Etta, Otto and Russell live in Saskatchewan and they are all in their eighties. Etta has never seen the sea and she needs to visit it. Otto has seen the ocean, but has no need to return. Russell has been waiting for something and Etta’s trip changes his life also.
I would never have met this trio or anyone like them without Hooper. I always say that I read to encounter new worlds. I am so grateful to have been part of this world for the length of the book. I wish I could have stayed longer.
I think I want to listen to this book. I really enjoyed reading it, but listening is a slower process for me than reading and I believe I missed some things as I read through this story.
Hooper has a wonderful tale to tell about people who rarely inhabit the novels I read. Etta, Otto and Russell live in Saskatchewan and they are all in their eighties. Etta has never seen the sea and she needs to visit it. Otto has seen the ocean, but has no need to return. Russell has been waiting for something and Etta’s trip changes his life also.
I would never have met this trio or anyone like them without Hooper. I always say that I read to encounter new worlds. I am so grateful to have been part of this world for the length of the book. I wish I could have stayed longer.