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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I enjoy both the story and the introspection. For audio book, actor is excellent.
3 1/2 stars. This one was kind of like a Scooby doo episode. Everyone joined in and the plot was hard to believe but I still enjoyed it. And I always learn something new - the Garden of Cosmic Speculation -a real place!
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sigh. It pains me to give a Louise Penny book only 3 stars but this time I must. While I still enjoyed my time with the Three Pines residents, this book just didn't work for me completely. There really isn't a mystery this time, unless you consider the fact that Peter didn't come back after one year a mystery. Most normal people would just assume their marriage is over, but Clara is convinced that something bad has happened to Peter so off the whole group goes to try to figure out what happened. There seemed to be too much foreboding for what the situation warranted. In the end, there is a murder or two but it's the end result of the book so not really a mystery per se. In fact, if they hadn't gone off on their merry hunt, Peter might still be alive. Penny still weaves a good story, it just wasn't one of my favorites of hers.
The "mystery" itself dragged on a bit, but I was glad to learn more about Canadian art through Penny's tutelage. In any earlier book she introduced Emily Carr, whom I'd never heard of, and who has since become a favorite of mine. In The Long Way Home I learned about Clarence Gagnon and Tom Thomson, whose work is beautiful and evocative, full of grace as one character puts it. I also enjoyed learning about the Garden of Cosmic Speculation, and if I can remember (which I will probably not), one day I'd love to find myself near Dumfries, Scotland, in early May so I can visit on its one open day of the year. As for the PLOT, well, it ended with something of a whimper, I must say. But I'm still glad I read the book. There's more to life than plot.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I always love re-visiting quaint little Three Pines. The setting is fun, the townspeople are lively, and there's always something interesting going on! Now that Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has "retired" there, it's an even lovelier place to stay.
That being said, THE LONG WAY HOME is not my favorite of the Gamache novels. Still, it tells an intriguing tale that kept me turning pages and surprised me in the end. Penny's books are crime novels, but they're less about murder and mayhem and more about people and their always fascinating psychology. This one leans more heavily toward the latter than other installments, which makes it seem a little slower. Still, I enjoyed this one and will, as always, keep reading this series, which continues to be one of my very favorites.
That being said, THE LONG WAY HOME is not my favorite of the Gamache novels. Still, it tells an intriguing tale that kept me turning pages and surprised me in the end. Penny's books are crime novels, but they're less about murder and mayhem and more about people and their always fascinating psychology. This one leans more heavily toward the latter than other installments, which makes it seem a little slower. Still, I enjoyed this one and will, as always, keep reading this series, which continues to be one of my very favorites.
This was the first Gamache not focused on murder but instead finding Peter, and it took the village to do so. As always wonderful characters and a well crafted plot.
The Long Way Home
(Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #10)
by Louise Penny, Ralph Cosham (Narrator)
Another book in the series that focuses on art. In past books in this series, when characters are admiring good art, I've gotten lost in what they were saying about it, and I didn't understand what they saw. This story has a lot of bad art and I didn't feel lost, maybe I understand bad art, who knew? I enjoyed this story a lot and I think it's because there were so many funny parts. Penny does a very good job with subtle humor.
Armand is retired to Three Pines now and greatly enjoying the peace of his retirement. Jean-Guy is healthy now and I love being in the head of a healthy Jean-Guy because he can be funny. Armand and Jean-Guy go on a road/air/sea trip with Clara and Myrna and Clara insists she is calling the shots. For that reason, Armand and Jean-Guy have to ride in the back seat of the car with Jean-Guy playing the role of the whiny kid. The fun really begins once they are on the boat.
I've enjoyed the narration of Ralph Cosham, who narrated the first ten books of this series. He died and the books in the rest of the series are narrated by someone else. I'll miss Ralph's voice, he was always a favorite of mine, as a narrator and as a game voice actor.
Published Aug 26, 2014
(Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #10)
by Louise Penny, Ralph Cosham (Narrator)
Another book in the series that focuses on art. In past books in this series, when characters are admiring good art, I've gotten lost in what they were saying about it, and I didn't understand what they saw. This story has a lot of bad art and I didn't feel lost, maybe I understand bad art, who knew? I enjoyed this story a lot and I think it's because there were so many funny parts. Penny does a very good job with subtle humor.
Armand is retired to Three Pines now and greatly enjoying the peace of his retirement. Jean-Guy is healthy now and I love being in the head of a healthy Jean-Guy because he can be funny. Armand and Jean-Guy go on a road/air/sea trip with Clara and Myrna and Clara insists she is calling the shots. For that reason, Armand and Jean-Guy have to ride in the back seat of the car with Jean-Guy playing the role of the whiny kid. The fun really begins once they are on the boat.
I've enjoyed the narration of Ralph Cosham, who narrated the first ten books of this series. He died and the books in the rest of the series are narrated by someone else. I'll miss Ralph's voice, he was always a favorite of mine, as a narrator and as a game voice actor.
Published Aug 26, 2014