Scan barcode
robinhigdon's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn't get into this one. There were separate stories that were connected by a house. I did like the character, a young boy named Harvey who had a palate deformity and how he handled this. If the book had been all about him, it may have been more interesting.
emilyinherhead's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first introduction to Jill McCorkle's writing, and I can definitely see why folks like her work. She weaves together several different points of view in this particular story, exploring themes like parenthood, aging, loss, home, and the ways that events from childhood can echo in later life. Her writing is sophisticated and poignant.
The main reason I didn't enjoy this novel quite as much as I'd hoped was that the different POV characters' stories never really came together in a way that I found meaningful. I kept waiting for something to happen to spark some sort of revelation or connection, and the ending didn't satisfy me in that regard.
The main reason I didn't enjoy this novel quite as much as I'd hoped was that the different POV characters' stories never really came together in a way that I found meaningful. I kept waiting for something to happen to spark some sort of revelation or connection, and the ending didn't satisfy me in that regard.
jennikreads's review against another edition
The story just was not for me. There too much conversation about murders and things that go bump in the night and it was spiking my anxiety.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Suicide
rachel_from_avid_bookshop's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I've read Jill McCorkle's books for over twenty years and she continues to create interesting multi-faceted characters that are fascinating. This ninth novel of hers tells the story of two very different families and how they are connected. Are you a fan of Ann Tyler's books? If so, you'll want to read Hieroglyphics.
literary_cosmos's review
3.0
Hieroglyphics Review
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨
Available now!
_______________________________
Hieroglyphics is a story like nothing I have ever read before. A story told mostly in the past through letters and notes. This is told in multiple POVs. I loved how McCorkle told this story it really brought the characters to life and I loved reading about each of them However, I had trouble connecting it all together at the end to see the point of it all. It didn't feel complete to me. I did enjoy the story and would recommend this to someone who enjoys a character driven story.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨
Available now!
_______________________________
Hieroglyphics is a story like nothing I have ever read before. A story told mostly in the past through letters and notes. This is told in multiple POVs. I loved how McCorkle told this story it really brought the characters to life and I loved reading about each of them However, I had trouble connecting it all together at the end to see the point of it all. It didn't feel complete to me. I did enjoy the story and would recommend this to someone who enjoys a character driven story.
lklitup's review
4.0
Wow. This book was a phenom. I found it dense — partly due to subject matter and partly due to writing style (very little dialogue, which I find can fly by). I would absolutely recommend this book with a deep, comfy couch, a blanket, cup of tea/coffee/whatever, and brain room to marinate and ruminate.
onmalsshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Algonquin and NetGalley for an eARC and a finished copy of Hieroglyphics.
See my review on my blog https://mainlymallory.com/book-review-hieroglyphics-by-jill-mccorkle/
Hieroglyphics follows Shelley, her son Harvey, and husband and wife duo Frank and Lil. Each chapter is told from one of their perspectives. Shelley and Harvey have perspectives from the present while Frank's perspectives switch from flashbacks to current time, and Lil's perspective is told from letters she has written to her family. Frank and Lil have recently moved from Boston to the town that Frank grew up in North Carolina where Shelley and her son currently live.
I liked that as a reader, I didn't find out why Lil's perspective was only told by writings and I thought that the reveal was well done. I love that Jill researched the two historical events that take one parent from Frank and Lil. I would have liked to see more building on what exactly bonded the two together.
However, overall Hieroglyphics was much more character driven than plot driven and as a reader that prefers a mix of both, I think I would've enjoyed this story a bit more if there had been more plot building around all of the characters. I wanted just a little more background of what happened to Shelley before she moved to North Carolina as well as what exactly did Frank do with his colleague that had Lil uncomfortable? McCorkle also revealed some plot points within the last thirty pages, and while I enjoy that in thrillers, I think it fell short in this piece of fiction. If the reveals had been revealed just a little bit earlier, I think that this book could have been more successful for me as it felt like a disjointed conclusion to me.
As perspectives moved around between flashbacks, current time, and letters, I often found myself confused by what exactly happened.
If you like character driven stories told from multiple perspectives, I highly suggest you pick up Hieroglyphics because I think it will be for you.
See my review on my blog https://mainlymallory.com/book-review-hieroglyphics-by-jill-mccorkle/
Hieroglyphics follows Shelley, her son Harvey, and husband and wife duo Frank and Lil. Each chapter is told from one of their perspectives. Shelley and Harvey have perspectives from the present while Frank's perspectives switch from flashbacks to current time, and Lil's perspective is told from letters she has written to her family. Frank and Lil have recently moved from Boston to the town that Frank grew up in North Carolina where Shelley and her son currently live.
I liked that as a reader, I didn't find out why Lil's perspective was only told by writings and I thought that the reveal was well done. I love that Jill researched the two historical events that take one parent from Frank and Lil. I would have liked to see more building on what exactly bonded the two together.
However, overall Hieroglyphics was much more character driven than plot driven and as a reader that prefers a mix of both, I think I would've enjoyed this story a bit more if there had been more plot building around all of the characters. I wanted just a little more background of what happened to Shelley before she moved to North Carolina as well as what exactly did Frank do with his colleague that had Lil uncomfortable? McCorkle also revealed some plot points within the last thirty pages, and while I enjoy that in thrillers, I think it fell short in this piece of fiction. If the reveals had been revealed just a little bit earlier, I think that this book could have been more successful for me as it felt like a disjointed conclusion to me.
As perspectives moved around between flashbacks, current time, and letters, I often found myself confused by what exactly happened.
If you like character driven stories told from multiple perspectives, I highly suggest you pick up Hieroglyphics because I think it will be for you.
imperfectcj's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I appreciate what McCorkle is trying to do with this book, exploring the connections between people, the things we tell and the secrets we keep, the differences in our perceptions of the same story, but I am relieved to be done with it. The pace of this novel is very slow and the different storytelling voices not as distinct as I prefer in novels with multiple povs. (This is an ARC I got through LibraryThing.)
12grace4's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mamiep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
She never fails us, does she? In her new book, Heiroglyphics, Jill McCorkle has written a beautiful story of two families. Frank and his wife Lil have retired to the sandhills of North Carolina from Massachusetts, returning to where Frank grew up. He wants to visit his childhood home, which is now occupied by Shelley and her son, Harvey. The house contains not only Frank’s memories but feels haunted to Shelley and Harvey. McCorkle’s writing is precise and eloquent, and she uses the characters’ losses and pasts to create an atmosphere of sorrow, longing, and mystery. By writing from multiple viewpoints, McCorkle allows us to become intimate with the interior life of each of the storytellers. This will be a wonderful book club book.