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readhikerepeat's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't the type of book I would normally pick up, but it had such great reviews so I thought I would give it a try. It started out a little slow (then again, it could just be because it's not what I would normally read...) but when it picked up I couldn't put it down. This was a book that will make you cry more than laugh. More than that, it will get that ball in the pit of your stomach to start burning (you know the one, the one that makes you mad at the injustices of the world).
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nicely written book about coming of age in the segregated south during the 1950's. I thought Jubie's innocence was a little overplayed, but overall it was an easy read that had some good combinations of youth/coming of age, race relations and religion. I especially liked the interaction between Jubie and her siblings and thought, given how messed up the family was, the relationships between the siblings were really realistic.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. At times tries a little too hard, but there are some deeply moving parts as well.
craftsbury's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
3.5/4 Listened to this one on audible. It was like watching a movie of a 1950's family; their relationship with each other and with their black maid. Story is told by the middle sister; Juby. Couple of tragedies happen which changes their lives.
It was a good book to read but to say "enjoyable" given the times it is set in and the tragedies that happen would seem odd.
I did like the way the author wrote the book; just enough description to let you visually see without over doing it.
It was a good book to read but to say "enjoyable" given the times it is set in and the tragedies that happen would seem odd.
I did like the way the author wrote the book; just enough description to let you visually see without over doing it.
kairwill's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sweetnovember's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to read something similar to The Help and it was. The maid, Mary, was very sassy like to Minnie, not tolerating everything her employers said. Some the story was disjointed at times. There were a lot of sub-plots going on with the mother and father, the maid, and June (main character). However, I really enjoyed reading the book!
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
What I Liked
This book got me. It's not often that I cry during a read, but I was holding back tears through scenes of The Dry Grass of August.
Mary's character is a stunning one. She is intelligent, complex, loyal, strong, and far from stereotypical. I also enjoyed reading from Jubie's perspective. As she wrestles with her relationship with her housekeeper, her mother, and her abusive father, I see so many real and valuable questions behind Jubie's eyes.
What I Didn't Like
The pacing would be my biggest complaint about this one. It takes a long time even to draw out the tension that is needed to rise up to the climax of this story. You have to hook your heels into The Dry Grass of August - but if you stick to the end, it is worth it.
This book got me. It's not often that I cry during a read, but I was holding back tears through scenes of The Dry Grass of August.
Mary's character is a stunning one. She is intelligent, complex, loyal, strong, and far from stereotypical. I also enjoyed reading from Jubie's perspective. As she wrestles with her relationship with her housekeeper, her mother, and her abusive father, I see so many real and valuable questions behind Jubie's eyes.
What I Didn't Like
The pacing would be my biggest complaint about this one. It takes a long time even to draw out the tension that is needed to rise up to the climax of this story. You have to hook your heels into The Dry Grass of August - but if you stick to the end, it is worth it.
brock111's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me think of The Help and a number of other books set in the south during the 1950s.