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katykelly's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
I'm still not quite sure what I thought of this book. I enjoyed it more earlier on, when the protagonist was a child. I disliked her more later on.
When Dolores is a child in the fifties, her father leaves her mother for another woman, sending her into a spiral of depression. Dolores resents him. At thirteen, Dolores's awakening sexuality puts her in a position that has terrible consequences and life-long repercussions. The rest of the novel Dolores is left reeling from the event which affects everything she does.
Some reviews adore Dolores' character,'calling her witty and brave. I was actually pretty frustrated with her reactions to what is admittedly a horrific occurrence, as well as annoyed by how she treats people and lives her life. It didn't feel realistic to me. A book like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (non-fiction), on the same lines, was both more heartfelt and felt more honest.
I did enjoy the odyssey she goes on, despite some far-fetched parts, but she continued to annoy me at times. Her 'therapy' I found a bit scary and weird - was that really something that would happen.
Some nice writing and an interesting idea but I didn't warm to Doris as much as I wanted to.
I don't know if I'll try now by this author, he was recommended to me and I'm glad given him a go.
I'm still not quite sure what I thought of this book. I enjoyed it more earlier on, when the protagonist was a child. I disliked her more later on.
When Dolores is a child in the fifties, her father leaves her mother for another woman, sending her into a spiral of depression. Dolores resents him. At thirteen, Dolores's awakening sexuality puts her in a position that has terrible consequences and life-long repercussions. The rest of the novel Dolores is left reeling from the event which affects everything she does.
Some reviews adore Dolores' character,'calling her witty and brave. I was actually pretty frustrated with her reactions to what is admittedly a horrific occurrence, as well as annoyed by how she treats people and lives her life. It didn't feel realistic to me. A book like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (non-fiction), on the same lines, was both more heartfelt and felt more honest.
I did enjoy the odyssey she goes on, despite some far-fetched parts, but she continued to annoy me at times. Her 'therapy' I found a bit scary and weird - was that really something that would happen.
Some nice writing and an interesting idea but I didn't warm to Doris as much as I wanted to.
I don't know if I'll try now by this author, he was recommended to me and I'm glad given him a go.
dphillips's review
5.0
It's been awhile since I've given a book a 5 star review. (I'm stingey with them.) This book was very deserving.
sabrinalexis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Grief, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Addiction, Infertility, and Ableism
oceanday8's review
2.0
It's the kind of book you read and when you're done, you feel somewhat victorious to have survived but you would never feel compelled to read it again. The author is talented but I did not enjoy the challenging life led by the main character. Ultimately I found this one difficult to read from an emotional standpoint. I would not recommend this book to a friend.
allisondenae's review
5.0
I can understand why someone would not like this book, but I loved it. I read it several years ago and it really touched me. There are parts I hate (trust me), but I loved the journey in this book. I felt so connected with the main character. I have re-read it several times over the years.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Our book club chose this book because the cover art and jacket blurbs led us to believe it would be "lighter fare." Even though it wasn't what we expected, we really enjoyed it and were rooting for the heroine.
Dolores Price is a pretty pathetic and sad young woman - with good reason! But I liked the writing and had to keep reminding myself it was written by a man. I wish he would write a sequel so we find out what happens to her. I firmly believe Dolores rises above her circumstances in the end.
Dolores Price is a pretty pathetic and sad young woman - with good reason! But I liked the writing and had to keep reminding myself it was written by a man. I wish he would write a sequel so we find out what happens to her. I firmly believe Dolores rises above her circumstances in the end.
ohheytaylorrae's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death of parent
ashleejoy's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amyjmcmillan's review
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
4.0
I first read this book when it came out more than 30 years ago. I must have been a freshman in college. I remember liking it and feeling a bit shocked by the traumatic events that happen to the main character. Reading it now, it feels more realistic. Like I can believe that these things would actually happen to a person. Some parts are a bit dated and it is depressing at times, but ultimately Dolores’s story is inspiring and hopeful. Like other readers, I kept wondering how a man could write such a believable narrative about a woman’s interior life. How does he know what it’s like? In my opinion, he gets it (mostly) right.