Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I rated this book 2 stars for the fact that it has undeniably beautiful writing. However, 206 pages in and I still felt like reading it was more of a chore than an enjoyment. I was just simply uninterested, seeming the plot got lost in Loo's desperate attempts to be violent and rebellious and the stories of Hawley's bullet wounds. I would rather just spend time with my own father than read about the lives of two emotionally-distant people. I wanted desperately to enjoy this book as much as others seemed to have, but I could just not force my heart to be into it.
3.8 - would have been 4.5 if not so gorey.
I wouldn't have chosen this one if I had read the description more carefully (ie. the "Quinton Tarrantino" comparison!) but it was a good read. The characters were real to me, the plot was compelling, the pacing was great. I usually dislike back-and-forth timelines but this one was carefully and effectively done.
It reminded me of a hard, cruel "Where the Crawdads Sing."
I wouldn't have chosen this one if I had read the description more carefully (ie. the "Quinton Tarrantino" comparison!) but it was a good read. The characters were real to me, the plot was compelling, the pacing was great. I usually dislike back-and-forth timelines but this one was carefully and effectively done.
It reminded me of a hard, cruel "Where the Crawdads Sing."
-character development was beautiful.
-really cool story telling
-very authentic and real
-liked Hawley - a lot.
-would recommend to others for sure. It’s hard not to like this book.
-interesting balance of violence and tenderness in this book. Paradoxical and lovely.
-really cool story telling
-very authentic and real
-liked Hawley - a lot.
-would recommend to others for sure. It’s hard not to like this book.
-interesting balance of violence and tenderness in this book. Paradoxical and lovely.
After reading all of the advanced praise about this book, I had pretty high expectations and was excited to get my hands on it. While I never found myself wanting to abandon it at any time, I just felt kind of 'eh' about it. I found it difficult to relate to any of the characters in the book and overall I really didn't like any of them. the premise was unique so it held my interest but overall I wasn't emotionally attached to the story or its characters in any way which left me unfulfilled.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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 was originally going to read this for my dissertation on father and daughter relationships in fiction, but I never even managed to get half way. I sort of regret that now, because it fits so well with what I wanted to talk about.
Our parents are not perfect people. That is very evident in this story where morally grey characters with their own trauma try to do the best that they can. A lot of times it doesn’t work out and Hawley definitely does some morally ambiguous and morally bad things and we see his reasoning behind it as he struggles and comes to realisations.
Tinti definitely makes her characters human with the little things; not being able to swim, eating Chinese takeout on birthdays and finding freedom behind the wheel of a car.
While a lot of the subject matter was dark, I enjoyed following the characters through their lives, mistakes and all, and the story evolving from their choices.
Our parents are not perfect people. That is very evident in this story where morally grey characters with their own trauma try to do the best that they can. A lot of times it doesn’t work out and Hawley definitely does some morally ambiguous and morally bad things and we see his reasoning behind it as he struggles and comes to realisations.
Tinti definitely makes her characters human with the little things; not being able to swim, eating Chinese takeout on birthdays and finding freedom behind the wheel of a car.
While a lot of the subject matter was dark, I enjoyed following the characters through their lives, mistakes and all, and the story evolving from their choices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Grief
Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury
I loved reading both parts of this story, and how they intertwined. It was a great blend of character- and plot-driven writing.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
So, first of all, I went in expecting one story and came out with another.
At times, the story was a bit slow and I was waiting for more connections to be made. However, I absolutely loved the story and became hooked. Loo is a fantastic character and one I quickly related to. The complexity of Hawley was built incredibly.
The only thing was that it was labeled as a thriller and it definitely wasn't, but it was still good.
At times, the story was a bit slow and I was waiting for more connections to be made. However, I absolutely loved the story and became hooked. Loo is a fantastic character and one I quickly related to. The complexity of Hawley was built incredibly.
The only thing was that it was labeled as a thriller and it definitely wasn't, but it was still good.
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley is a story that will stick with me for some time. Hannah Tinti is an incredible storyteller with a gift for detail and jumping around a timeline to tie everything together. While reading it, it felt like I was holding a special literary treasure.
Samuel Hawley and his daughter Loo had never stayed anywhere for long. And Hawley’s life, past and present, is a bit of a mystery to Loo. When finally Loo and Hawley settle down in the town her mother grew up in, Loo begins to see her mother’s death and her father’s scars in a clearer picture. The reader stays one step ahead of Loo at all times, leaving a riveting story and deeper character development.
Samuel Hawley and his daughter Loo had never stayed anywhere for long. And Hawley’s life, past and present, is a bit of a mystery to Loo. When finally Loo and Hawley settle down in the town her mother grew up in, Loo begins to see her mother’s death and her father’s scars in a clearer picture. The reader stays one step ahead of Loo at all times, leaving a riveting story and deeper character development.
A beautifully written book, to me, is one that requires you keep a highlighter nearby. There were so many sections in here that I just loved. I found myself reading a chapter and then walking away for a few minutes just to absorb it a little. The book centers around Samuel Hawley and his daughter, switching between a narration of her growing up and Hawley's checkered past told through the 12 bullets that now live as scars on his body. It is a captivating story of how a father truly becomes a father and what that actually means. Highly recommend this one.