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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that so fully transports me to a place, in a way that feels so lived in with all the quiet details. I haven’t spent time in New England, or any of the settings of these stories, but now having read this, if I ever were to visit….I think it would all feel familiar.
People who know me would be surprised to know I love books in this genre— ones that elicit heartache and tender grief and a zoomed out look (without answers) of what makes a life. But I do! Many (most) of these stories were 5/5 for me. There was one story towards the end (the one about a cult) that really just didn’t sit well with me though, and the bad feeling lingered for the remaining chapters. Additionally, what felt like a throwaway paragraph in the final third reminding us “oh yeah native Americans were here first” felt random (dare I say virtue signaling) and undermined the unique (albeit white, mostly male) American-ness of these stories. Either give that truth its dues, or don’t mention it so casually? Eh minor gripe, but enough that it bugged me enough to include it in the review.
Overall, I’m really glad I read this and will keep an eye out for other things by this author. Definitely recommend the audiobook for this one— Chris Cooper, Paul Mescal, and Nick Offerman all voiced standout chapters!
People who know me would be surprised to know I love books in this genre— ones that elicit heartache and tender grief and a zoomed out look (without answers) of what makes a life. But I do! Many (most) of these stories were 5/5 for me. There was one story towards the end (the one about a cult) that really just didn’t sit well with me though, and the bad feeling lingered for the remaining chapters. Additionally, what felt like a throwaway paragraph in the final third reminding us “oh yeah native Americans were here first” felt random (dare I say virtue signaling) and undermined the unique (albeit white, mostly male) American-ness of these stories. Either give that truth its dues, or don’t mention it so casually? Eh minor gripe, but enough that it bugged me enough to include it in the review.
Overall, I’m really glad I read this and will keep an eye out for other things by this author. Definitely recommend the audiobook for this one— Chris Cooper, Paul Mescal, and Nick Offerman all voiced standout chapters!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cool idea but left me confused which stories are meant to be connected