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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, Dementia, Abortion
I loved this book! I really enjoy Elizabeth Strout’s writing, her ability to tell a good story and draw you in with a memorable cast of characters, whom she subtly pokes fun at. She has a wry eye, a deft ability to make her characters both lovable and despicable!
Her terrain is New England, the setting of many of her novels and short stories and her knowledge of the societal duties, the subtle but defined hierarchies about which life revolves, is so sharp. The importance of community, the place for everyone is clearly demarcated from the outset.
This story was about Rev Tyler Caskey, a much loved preacher and man of the people in his community. In the year after his young wife dies, and left with a bereft young daughter, Katherine, while his toddler is being minded by his mother, Caskey finds his life spiralling out of control. At first, it is subtle, a few problems among people in the community, problems with his daughter in school, but as the problems grow and he is forced to confront them, things start to fall apart. It comes to a head in a very moving scene in which he breaks down on the pulpit. His vulnerability at this moment, his heart laid bare, his shame, his humanity, are the beginning of a new way of seeing for Caskey. It is the beginning of a real love for his community, and the opening for some real communication with Katherine whose pain up to this point was barely acknowledged.
The way this story is woven, the depth of the characters, the gossipy nature of the community, the harsh and beautiful New England landscape,(a character in itself), and the very real pain of the main character in his quest to keep going is so beautifully handled by Strout and from the outset, you know you are in good hands with this author. A great book, highly recommended!
Her terrain is New England, the setting of many of her novels and short stories and her knowledge of the societal duties, the subtle but defined hierarchies about which life revolves, is so sharp. The importance of community, the place for everyone is clearly demarcated from the outset.
This story was about Rev Tyler Caskey, a much loved preacher and man of the people in his community. In the year after his young wife dies, and left with a bereft young daughter, Katherine, while his toddler is being minded by his mother, Caskey finds his life spiralling out of control. At first, it is subtle, a few problems among people in the community, problems with his daughter in school, but as the problems grow and he is forced to confront them, things start to fall apart. It comes to a head in a very moving scene in which he breaks down on the pulpit. His vulnerability at this moment, his heart laid bare, his shame, his humanity, are the beginning of a new way of seeing for Caskey. It is the beginning of a real love for his community, and the opening for some real communication with Katherine whose pain up to this point was barely acknowledged.
The way this story is woven, the depth of the characters, the gossipy nature of the community, the harsh and beautiful New England landscape,(a character in itself), and the very real pain of the main character in his quest to keep going is so beautifully handled by Strout and from the outset, you know you are in good hands with this author. A great book, highly recommended!
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced