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davram's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dramaticdoodler's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
wait_whoissheagain's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a story about love, grief, joy and (my personal favourite) female rage. It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and I absolutely loved it! One minute I was feeling all the anger that the characters were, and the next, I was crying right alongside them.
I really felt for Alex, the main character, because she was truly dealt some rough hands in her life. I loved her anger, but was disappointed that she never got to fully express it because she was worried about being ‘impolite’. I feel like she never received the apology or recognition she deserved from the adults that let her down, and it was maddening to me! I also found her naivety towards the events of the book a little annoying, but then I reminded myself that the events of the book take place during her childhood, and so of course she believed what the adults she trusted told her at such a young age.
I loved the relationship between Alex and Beatrice! It was heartwarming and endearing, and I understand Alex’s feelings towards Beatrice’s choices, considering everything they had already been through. Alex was still a child herself and was experiencing in incredible amount of grief in a world that had mostly written her off. I was very happy with the end of their story.
This book is so different to books I would normally choose. While I am aware that this story is from the perspective of a fairly stereotypical 1950s woman, it told a unique story of heartbreak, joy and (most importantly) love. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really felt for Alex, the main character, because she was truly dealt some rough hands in her life. I loved her anger, but was disappointed that she never got to fully express it because she was worried about being ‘impolite’. I feel like she never received the apology or recognition she deserved from the adults that let her down, and it was maddening to me! I also found her naivety towards the events of the book a little annoying, but then I reminded myself that the events of the book take place during her childhood, and so of course she believed what the adults she trusted told her at such a young age.
I loved the relationship between Alex and Beatrice! It was heartwarming and endearing, and I understand Alex’s feelings towards Beatrice’s choices, considering everything they had already been through. Alex was still a child herself and was experiencing in incredible amount of grief in a world that had mostly written her off. I was very happy with the end of their story.
This book is so different to books I would normally choose. While I am aware that this story is from the perspective of a fairly stereotypical 1950s woman, it told a unique story of heartbreak, joy and (most importantly) love. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
pnwlisa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
2.0
There was a strong female character and the writing was really beautiful. Some imagery is so very intense that it made my skin twitch and my neck crawls when I think about it. The prose is very arresting.
Unfortunately, I found this book primarily about isolation and trauma. Even the act described in the title and described as "fredom" was only available when giving up everything else. But for all that inherent trauma in the book, I didn't think the trauma was followed up on after it stopped being convenient for the plot. There were many lose ends and in general I found the book disappointing.
Here is how I wished the book would have ended:
Alex finally opens the box from her mother, inside there is a letter that Alex doesn't read but she finds the money and goes to college. After Alex's first love (Stella) dragons, Alex reads the letter. The letter says: "I loved you, I stayed for you and Bea and needed you to stay for us too... My knots were magic and kept you human." In that letter, Alex finds out she only needs to untie her knots to "feel" the call the way the other girls felt it before.
And then we could find out or not what happens there. But then so many lose ends are tied up!
Here are the specific things that bothered me throughout - including the threads I thought were dropped:
* The image of dragons was at first fierce and proud, but when it became convenient they no longer had to burn things when touching them and they could wear clothing and become a simple talking animal, shoving themselves back into the world that they had previously rejected.
* The knot work was a huge part in the first third of the book, was dropped completely until the epilogue.
* The epilogue was so sad - having memorials of the people who abandoned her around her home and none of the aunt who came back or the cousin/sister who was changing the world. What a sad, lonely ending to a lonely, controlling life.
* Dragon culture is hinted at, but never discussed. The star travel is a weird and unnecessary point that pops up a few times. And the women's reproductive system overlaid with a dragons head was confusing and misleading at the start.
* Originally I thought also the inconsistency about the mom hiding the money was a dropped thread - but after discussing with other readers the gardening obsession made that feel more real so she could stash the household money in a college fund and grow her own veggies to feed them instead of spending on groceries.
Quotes that stopped me:
"At times, the tension between adults felt like acid on my skin—no physical wound, but burning all the same." 10%
"My anger didn’t go away. It shifted and adjusted itself. It wound its way through my belly and spiraled around each of my bones." 57%
"In any successful marriage, one partner must face the reality of being very old, and very alone." 98%
Unfortunately, I found this book primarily about isolation and trauma. Even the act described in the title and described as "fredom" was only available when giving up everything else. But for all that inherent trauma in the book, I didn't think the trauma was followed up on after it stopped being convenient for the plot. There were many lose ends and in general I found the book disappointing.
Here is how I wished the book would have ended:
Spoiler
Alex finally opens the box from her mother, inside there is a letter that Alex doesn't read but she finds the money and goes to college. After Alex's first love (Stella) dragons, Alex reads the letter. The letter says: "I loved you, I stayed for you and Bea and needed you to stay for us too... My knots were magic and kept you human." In that letter, Alex finds out she only needs to untie her knots to "feel" the call the way the other girls felt it before.
And then we could find out or not what happens there. But then so many lose ends are tied up!
Here are the specific things that bothered me throughout - including the threads I thought were dropped:
* The image of dragons was at first fierce and proud, but when it became convenient they no longer had to burn things when touching them and they could wear clothing and become a simple talking animal, shoving themselves back into the world that they had previously rejected.
* The knot work was a huge part in the first third of the book, was dropped completely until the epilogue.
* The epilogue was so sad - having memorials of the people who abandoned her around her home and none of the aunt who came back or the cousin/sister who was changing the world. What a sad, lonely ending to a lonely, controlling life.
* Dragon culture is hinted at, but never discussed. The star travel is a weird and unnecessary point that pops up a few times. And the women's reproductive system overlaid with a dragons head was confusing and misleading at the start.
* Originally I thought also the inconsistency about the mom hiding the money was a dropped thread - but after discussing with other readers the gardening obsession made that feel more real so she could stash the household money in a college fund and grow her own veggies to feed them instead of spending on groceries.
Quotes that stopped me:
"At times, the tension between adults felt like acid on my skin—no physical wound, but burning all the same." 10%
"My anger didn’t go away. It shifted and adjusted itself. It wound its way through my belly and spiraled around each of my bones." 57%
"In any successful marriage, one partner must face the reality of being very old, and very alone." 98%
kcrawfish's review against another edition
1.0
This would have been better as a short story. Some interesting and nice things to say, but said so throughly and exhaustedly. Almost DNF throughout.
kristinvb520's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
crazyylizard's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Slow, rambling, and repetitive.
kaboom2016's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kateschafstall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75