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laila4343's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I’ve decided to label Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie novels “quirky” because they’re not straightforward mystery/crime novels but not pure literary fiction either. They all start out with a million characters and storylines and then gradually the reader starts seeing the threads coming together. It’s been years since I’d read the other Brodie books to I didn’t remember some of the characters that reappear here. But that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. I docked it half a star for a bit of a slow start but by the last 1/3 my eyeballs couldn’t keep up with my appetite to find out how things all shook out. I love melancholy, decent private detective Brodie, even if he’s a glass-half-empty fellow. He’s one of the good guys underneath it all and I would eagerly welcome another installment... please, Ms. Atkinson?
jcjw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
alexisrt's review against another edition
5.0
I've expressed my admiration for how Kate Atkinson constructs her novels before, but she continues to amaze me. I haven't loved her Jackson Brodie novels as much as her stand-alones, except for Case Histories, but Big Sky is top notch. What's exceptionally clever is that there really isn't a central mystery--yes, the book flap mentions someone's death, and it does matter, but the plot isn't completely linear. Instead, it's more like a puzzle that's constructed from the corners, as the stories of all the characters gradually converge. Some of the events are foreseeable, some are surprises, but everything fits together perfectly without feeling forced or contrived.
What makes Big Sky such a joy is that all the characters are carefully drawn, with beautiful detail, and that not one of those details is wasted. In some ways, Brodie is the least interesting person in his own books. Atkinson remembers all of them, and what might seem like an inconsequential throwaway line turns out to be much more significant. She also clearly had a good time writing the book; the character descriptions are leavened with lines that had me hooting--which makes it even more effective when the plot turns.
What makes Big Sky such a joy is that all the characters are carefully drawn, with beautiful detail, and that not one of those details is wasted. In some ways, Brodie is the least interesting person in his own books. Atkinson remembers all of them, and what might seem like an inconsequential throwaway line turns out to be much more significant. She also clearly had a good time writing the book; the character descriptions are leavened with lines that had me hooting--which makes it even more effective when the plot turns.
millypip's review against another edition
3.0
Another entertaining Jackson Brodie story. A thrilling plot lines and a cast of new and familiar three dimensional characters make this an engaging read.
ralphiereads76's review against another edition
Abandoned at 53%. I just don't care about the characters enough. I'm pretty sure I see where it's headed.
cward7836's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
writer595's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
kingarooski's review against another edition
4.0
This is a classic Jackson Brodie, so if you like the series, you will love this book. Jackson has relocated and is mainly working for disgruntled wives whose husbands are cheating on them. As always, Kate Atkinson expertly weaves together several stories until they intertwined into a common narrative. My only quibbles were the names for the Polish girls (I know of no Katjas or Nadjas back home. Kasia and Nadia would have been better) and the rather rushed feeling I got at the end. Despite these, it was great to catch up with Jackson once again (and Reggie!).
dljmsw's review against another edition
5.0
I did not want this to end and I'm hoping against hope that Atkinson will write another in the series. The audiobook was a pleasure to listen to. Again, the coincidences and connections are so far-fetched, but I just love how Atkinson pulls them together. I love some good revenge and this is one of my favorite series.
paulsnelling's review against another edition
3.0
A little overrated. Brodie seems like a minor character and didn’t contribute much to the unfolding of the dastardly deed, which would’ve unravelled on its own.