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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked how each story would be woven into the next. The story of The Auk was my favorite.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a native New Englander, I really enjoyed these stories. The landscapes I grew up with are almost a stand alone character, bearing witness to the tenuous threads that link the stories and characters across time. It was fun to identify what are sometimes little easter eggs linking the stories together. It felt like being in on a little secret that the characters don't recognize.
Though the writing can be witty and funny at times, there's something comforting in the solemnity and sadness runs like a common thread. The entire book felt like a warm blanket on your porch while watching a rainstorm: a little dark, a little chilly, but soothing and familliar with a damp closeness.
I look forward to reading more from the author, and the audio book features a lot of great talent. I was even impressed that (most of) the local names were pronounced correctly.
Though the writing can be witty and funny at times, there's something comforting in the solemnity and sadness runs like a common thread. The entire book felt like a warm blanket on your porch while watching a rainstorm: a little dark, a little chilly, but soothing and familliar with a damp closeness.
I look forward to reading more from the author, and the audio book features a lot of great talent. I was even impressed that (most of) the local names were pronounced correctly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexism, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Colonisation
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
When I hear that a book is being praised to no end, I go into it thinking it must be good, but sometimes it doesn't meet expectations. This book surpassed them. Every single one of the stories here was magnificent. The author made every day life so interesting that I couldn't stop reading and at the same time I didn't want to finish the book. The audiobook was outstanding too. It has stories that are connected and that happen over the span of 300 years. After the second story, I knew it was going to be 5 stars, by the middle of it, I knew it became a new favourite. I know I will reread this many times.
If you think of every single positive adjective that you can conjure up you won't find one that fits this short story collection, because this is better.
If you think of every single positive adjective that you can conjure up you won't find one that fits this short story collection, because this is better.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was so interesting. Short stories that wove together a view of memory, history and relationships. Some of the stories drew me in more than others but the revelation of how they linked together was the real joy. I listened to the audiobook which I believe added another emotional layer.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audio
Enjoyable linked short stories and audio is stellar, with a wonderful cast.
Looking forward to hearing soundtrack of forthcoming movie based on one of the stories
Enjoyable linked short stories and audio is stellar, with a wonderful cast.
Looking forward to hearing soundtrack of forthcoming movie based on one of the stories
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
emotional
reflective
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
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes