Reviews

Pastoral by André Alexis

alex_fahmi's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Andre Alexis fucking devoured with this book! I will say, I'd given Fifteen Dogs a chance in the past, and it put me off of Alexis' writing for a while (it's not him, I think I just burned out of my sentient animals phase once I had finished all the warrior cats books -- I digress). However, Pastoral knocked my socks off, so I'll definitely be looking at his other stuff -- which I think is also human-centred lol.

I really like books that are mostly character-driven and a bit more meditative, so Pastoral really hit the mark for me. I also found that I really enjoyed the dry humour that was sprinkled throughout the book!

One final thing, I listened to the audiobook that's read by Alexis, and it was awesome -- although there is a part where he does a scarily accurate pigeon impersonation which did catch me off guard lol 

ahanyok's review against another edition

hopeful reflective relaxing 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

4.0

oldmantito's review against another edition

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

3.25

rosapeachdrift's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

heelturn2's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

fsr I thought this was a horror novel before starting it. it was not! whoops!

slow, thoughtful meditation on place/faith/love/nature. made me actually feel nostalgia, fondness and love for southern Ontario! a difficult feat!!! but slow, thoughtful meditations are not really my thing… alas………….

ovenbird_reads's review against another edition

4.0

This is the fourth book I read in the Quincunx series (though the first published) and another amazing read. I can't wait to read all five of these books again when the eventual revised omnibus is released. Alexis is working some serious literary magic here.

krobart's review against another edition

3.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/day-663-pastoral/

colorfulleo92's review against another edition

4.0

I knew I had read Fifteen Dogs by Andre Alexis previously but thought it was last year, but turns out it was this year! This book went a lot better for me, although I gave the other book 3 stars and this one 4 stars. I enjoyed Pastoral million miles more but not quite enough for a 5 stars. I found myself more invested and enjoyed the format more with this audiobook and didn't feel like I've should have read it as an ebook instead. Worked out just fine as an audiobook

twopuffins's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this ok, but it just wasn't for me. Although, I did enjoy the prose. Elizabeth and Jane fell flat as characters and I wish they had as much depth as Lowther and Pennant. The slight surrealist qualities reminded me of Boris Vian's "Heartsnatcher."

mjayc3's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Another cleverly written book from this author. Everything flowed really nicely and the characters were interesting enough to want to learn more about their stories. It was fresh, thought provoking, and hit on some interesting themes.

The title is also very clever since it's about a pastor, yes, but also about the countryside, nature, and many sheep which all connect with the various definitions of 'Pastoral.' Plus the bonus of it being connected with Beethoven's Sixth Symphony (Pastoral Symphony). All a nod to the layers found within the novel, I'd imagine.

I'll admit, I wouldn't have thought to pick it up if I didn't read (and enjoy) Fifteen Dogs first, but I'm glad I did. Looking forward to reading the other books in the Quincunx!