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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
reflective
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was a book I would enjoy. Nope.
Ever since The Storied Life of AJ Fickery was one of my favorite reads of 2021 I've been working my way through Zevin’s back catalog. The results have been mixed (I love her writing so much, but many of the stories have been…strange). This one was so bizarre, but I did enjoy most of it - even if it made my brain hurt trying to figure out what the heck was going on. 😂 I'm still not entirely sure what it was - but it was beautifully written (and the audiobook is expertly performed!). Much of this book reads like a fairy tale (or a fever dream?) but there are some lovely insights about loving someone through all of their changes and challenges and those parts are really well done and heartfelt. I would have liked a bit more explanation of what was really going on, but I think the ambiguity was part of the magic… we each get to decide what's real. This wasn't my favorite of hers, but I feel like it's going to stick with me.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Characters 4
Atmosphere/Setting 2
Writing Style 5
Plot 5
Intrigue 3
Logic/Relationships 4
Enjoyment 1
3.42
3.42
Not as strong as her other books. I like the magical feel but it also confuses me.
The idea of leaving behind a trail of women you once were while you progress to age is fascinating and paints a great mental picture. This helped me a lot to become more okay with how distanced I feel to my past.
The idea of leaving behind a trail of women you once were while you progress to age is fascinating and paints a great mental picture. This helped me a lot to become more okay with how distanced I feel to my past.
Short and quirky, but I do enjoy Zevin's writing.
“I am large, I contain multitudes.”
~Walt Whitman
confused
I have loved G. Zevin’s other books but just didn’t get the totality of this one. I followed the Margarettown part, I followed their relationship, but I really didn’t get the ending.
I have loved G. Zevin’s other books but just didn’t get the totality of this one. I followed the Margarettown part, I followed their relationship, but I really didn’t get the ending.
This book was a bit too much fantasy for my tastes. Nonetheless, I do love the writing of this author and found the book enjoyable.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Magical book. Part fairy tale, part love story, part meditation on the nature of what is real, and whether that even matters. Don’t think twice, it’s all right.