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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
loved this and the audiobook is so well done! (coming from a pretty harsh audiobook critic)
Probably a 4.5. The first story is probably the best short story I have ever read. Then the intertwining of the rest of the stories. So well done!! New England is a great setting. I read with such intent, waiting for the connection to reveal itself.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this book as part of the Tournament of Books Reading Challenge, and I'm really behind because of trying to do other challenges as well. The tournament is over, as of 3/31 having declared a very close winner and I'm still trying to catch up.
I think I live for the "hook and chain" aspect of life that so many reviews of The History of Sound mention in their discussion of these short stories -- I love hearing the story behind the story. Most of the story pairs really worked for me for that reason, but I think I remain crestfallen, after reading The Auk, to think about how many of us spend our lives following a lead that leads nowhere.
I think I live for the "hook and chain" aspect of life that so many reviews of The History of Sound mention in their discussion of these short stories -- I love hearing the story behind the story. Most of the story pairs really worked for me for that reason, but I think I remain crestfallen, after reading The Auk, to think about how many of us spend our lives following a lead that leads nowhere.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Amazing multi-cast audiobook.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I loved these stories. I loved their emotional intelligence, and how successive stories reflected illuminating light on the previous stories. I loved the beauty of the sentences and the book’s inventiveness, and the unflinching study of the best and worst of humanity. I savoured this book, one story at a time. These are stories that invite us to reread them, knowing we will gain deeper appreciation with each rereading.
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced