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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Good lord, Ann Patchett. I went between reading the hard copy and Meryl Streep narrating the audiobook and what a fantastic journey it was. My only complaint is that the cover doesn’t match the vibe of the book. It makes me think of English tea parties and that is not what the story is about at all.
I should also mention that since Meryl narrated, I pictured her as the main character. I gave her the benefit of the doubt throughout and she was automatically likable to me. Also that laugh that Meryl does where she seemlessly weaves it into the words she is saying made me chefs kiss my fingers off.
Ok so it’s 2020 and Lara (Meryl) is telling her 3 grown daughters about how she dated a movie star before he was famous. How can I explain how she takes every thread of this story and puts the prettiest little bow on it at the end without giving so much away? It’s so real and so tender. There’s summer stock theater in the 80s, a cherry farm in Michigan, young painful love, cozy married love, love of home, and some of the most beautiful characters I’ve met.
I should also mention that since Meryl narrated, I pictured her as the main character. I gave her the benefit of the doubt throughout and she was automatically likable to me. Also that laugh that Meryl does where she seemlessly weaves it into the words she is saying made me chefs kiss my fingers off.
Ok so it’s 2020 and Lara (Meryl) is telling her 3 grown daughters about how she dated a movie star before he was famous. How can I explain how she takes every thread of this story and puts the prettiest little bow on it at the end without giving so much away? It’s so real and so tender. There’s summer stock theater in the 80s, a cherry farm in Michigan, young painful love, cozy married love, love of home, and some of the most beautiful characters I’ve met.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Every generation believes the world is going to end.”
She raises her head. “Is that true? Did you and Dad think it was all going up in a fiery ball?” She is so close to me. I can see the faintest remnants of long-ago freckles on her forehead.
“No. I said it to make you feel better.” Joe and I thought about the plays we wanted to get tickets for, the price of rent, whether or not we should go out to dinner, how soon we could afford to have a baby. We didn’t think anything would end. Any of it. Ever.
She raises her head. “Is that true? Did you and Dad think it was all going up in a fiery ball?” She is so close to me. I can see the faintest remnants of long-ago freckles on her forehead.
“No. I said it to make you feel better.” Joe and I thought about the plays we wanted to get tickets for, the price of rent, whether or not we should go out to dinner, how soon we could afford to have a baby. We didn’t think anything would end. Any of it. Ever.
This was a lovely read, such a fun and engaging story. The characters were easy to imagine, and wonderful to get to know.
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listen on audio book. Totally fell in love with the characters and the story. The only reason it didn’t get a full 5 star is because I was confused in the first few chapters and to the point of view I was listening to and the swapping and changing between past and present tense. Once I had gotten used to the writing style I couldn’t fault it
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Reminiscences about our younger selves and what could have been, while appreciating and being satisfied with our current lives. A melancholic longing for the past is not a bad thing, is it?
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes