Reviews

Grief by Andrew Holleran

hongjoongie's review

funny reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

"Yes. How do you make amends when the person you wronged is dead?"
"I suppose by doing something good to those who are still alive. I think often of a line from Sophocles-we have all eternity to please the dead, but only a little while to love the living."

Need more books set in DC. 

bps's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

lorbach's review

3.0

A short read, about a man who goes to Washington after the death of his mother. I didn't realize that the main character was gay though it made no impact on the story.
I enjoyed this book. Each character brought a different perspective on the loss of loved ones, and the grief we feel from that loss.

magnuscumlaude's review

4.0

Found this little novel in a used bookshop in Halifax, Nova Scotia called Trident. I read it over my short trip there, and I really enjoyed it. The name and cover make it seem like it could be depressing, but I found it to be a pretty gentle read. As the narrator cycles through his routine - walking through Washington DC, talking to the few people in his life, ruminating about Mary Todd Lincoln - I feel like it had a hypnotic effect on me. In the same way that I often enjoy a plotless film, meandering through someone's life, Grief by Andrew Holleran lulls you into the story and you don't see it's culminative power until the end.

I think my favourite part is how Holleran writes about art, architecture, and the life of a city through the eyes of an outsider. I read his novel 'Dancer from the Dance' a couple years ago now, and I don't remember feeling that impressed with it, despite it's position as a modern gay classic. Grief is more my vibe.

andersonstovall's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

calebgrahamlibrary's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

5.0

This book was hauntingly beautiful and so emotional. It begs to make you try and evaluate and understand grief like no other book I’ve ever read that deals with loss. 

blakerparker's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

beebin's review

dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

andbarr_'s review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

patrickhackett's review

4.0

I was recommended this book by a friend in Chicago, who told me I needed to read it if not only for its vivid descriptions of DC. He wasn't wrong. The novel really beautifully depicts the 90's in the Dupont Circle area of DC and the city itself is one of, if not the actual, main characters in the novel. I didn't find the book as depressing at the title/premise would lead you to believe. If you're a fan of gay literature or DC-based literature, this is a quick, thought-provoking read.