Reviews

Mink River by Brian Doyle

romylu's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Beautifully written, enchanting book. I was sad to part ways with the characters with whom I had become so enthralled.

emath98's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.5

hunnyblood's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sunrays118's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Before you read this book you need to ask yourself a couple questions. 1. How do you feel about lists? 2. How do you feel about the word "fecking"?

If you can stand those two things, lists and the word "fecking", consider that in this book, both are used about 300 times.

There is no plot to this book. It is an impressively Pacific Northwest story. The author is not trying to write about anything he does not know. This book is essentially his version of his story. The characters, well, truly, there is only one character, are just names with no personalities. The story is simply a series of facts happening at the same time, "He washed a dish." "A person in another house washed a mug." There is no plot, no characters, no development. Nothing changes, at all. There is nothing here really. The author tries again and again to lead you to think something might happen but then 'everyone went home.'

There is no real moral or lesson. Nothing is gleaned from the novel. My only real take away is a profound hatred of lists and the word "fecking".

One last point, the book does not seem to contain grammar. If you like commas or periods or quote marks, steer clear. The lack of punctuation, correct formatting, sentences that are actual sentences, made this book a confusing mess of words with no point. The author I'm sure was convinced it made the writing unique and memorable but all it did was add layers upon layers of distance and frustration. It is impossible to feel anything for anyone in the book or the "story." It is just a mess of words and lists and the word "fecking."

Of the three books read this year with talking crows, this is by far the worst.

proustiansquid22's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

smokyseagoat's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

lauderbaugh's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful slow-paced

4.25

chickaboogawah's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

Such a beautifully written book. I loved the voices throughout the story. The writing style was a little difficult, but the beauty of the language and prose made up for it.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dcompton7's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.0

eveybrittin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging reflective slow-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? No

4.5

A very unique but enjoyable writing style once you get into it. I love how all the characters connected. I also love how they all had flaws but weren't morally disappointing. No major plot twists, just a good story consisting of a bunch of smaller ones