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dfarmil's review
2.0
This one was rough for me. I liked some of the tenderness shown by the characters, especially the male characters. I kind of get the vibe that the author thinks all women are evil, though. I’m not sure how to fully describe that feeling, but it is there.
fleurrochard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
izschifano's review
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
3.5
kingarooski's review against another edition
4.0
A tender and slowly paced story about life in rural Ireland, about love and loss, about people rubbing along together and holding onto who you love. Donal Ryan's rhythms are beautiful and the book is very moving.
morteno's review against another edition
3.0
De gode aspekter ved bogen var indsigten i det katolske Irland (skyld!) og 'mysteriet' om Molls forsvinden. Men jeg synes bogen skiftede for meget rundt i personerne, og 4/5 inde var jeg ved helt at droppe bogen. De maleriske beskrivelser i bogen blev for meget af det gode til mig - jeg vil have mere og interessant dialog.
paulsnelling's review
5.0
You have to commit to this short book, give yourself to it’s lyrical brilliance. The story is incomplete with revelations which some will find irritating. Knowledge of plot comes after knowledge of consequence. In flight, history repeats itself, but there is reunion, renewal, sims are forgiven and kindness repaid.
somethingarosie's review
4.0
Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan offers a captivating, mysterious premise that delves into identity, sexuality and race. The variation in timelines and points of view adds depth to the narrative, keeping readers engaged throughout. Ryan’s prose is beautifully poetic and gentle, drawing readers into the story with its lyrical quality.
However, while the book excels in many aspects, one particular element fell short for me. The introduction of Josh and his storytelling/writing proved to be a stumbling block, especially in the audiobook format. The switch in perspective and timeline was jarring, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. It was challenging to discern who was speaking and at what point in time the narrative occurred, detracting from the overall experience. This disruption in flow left me feeling disjointed from the characters I was reading about. It’s unfortunate that this occurs towards the end of the book, creating a bump near the final hurdle.
Despite this drawback, Strange Flowers remains a compelling read, offering an intriguing exploration of family secrets and the complexities of identity. While the audiobook may struggle to effectively convey certain sections of the book, the strength of Ryan’s storytelling ultimately shines through, making it a worthwhile literary journey. A story full of intrigue, mystery, and unexpected revelations.
4⭐️