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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
Not as engaging as the other ES books I've read, glad I didn't read this first
emotional
reflective
sad
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
A profound meditation on grief and guilt: emotional and moving, though sometimes frustrating and dense, but always enhanced by Strout's lovely yet spare writing. I felt much of the middle section of the book lost focus, and I had a hard time understanding the necessity of some characters (e.g. Bitter Charlie), but I ultimately found the book quite moving and engrossing. I think this is one of the rare books that could be improved by multiple careful readings; there is so much here to take in that I'm afraid much of it just washed over me.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's interesting when two books one reads in short succession intertwine thematically. I can't say this was an incredibly conscious choice but I have been seeking out "books of comfort." Whatever that means. Tyler Caskey would well have understood "Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times." Both books consider Winter, the season (UK and New England) and winter, the state of being/the state of mind. It is a time of resilience.
I don't understand why initially this small New England community was so seemingly cruel towards a man who was grieving. I like how Strout shows different ways of human suffering. And in the end, grace. I absolutely adore Elizabeth Strout's writing. She paints pictures with words! She is so incredibly gifted. I may give "Olive Kitteridge" a re-read and then finally get around to "Olive, Again."
I don't understand why initially this small New England community was so seemingly cruel towards a man who was grieving. I like how Strout shows different ways of human suffering. And in the end, grace. I absolutely adore Elizabeth Strout's writing. She paints pictures with words! She is so incredibly gifted. I may give "Olive Kitteridge" a re-read and then finally get around to "Olive, Again."
Lovely book. If you're looking for action in your plot, I wouldn't look here, but Strout's portrayal of this rural community in New England is beautifully done.
I enjoyed this book. The writer gave great depth to the characters, but I would have liked to have gotten more story on the daughter. She was very interesting. The story telling was very well put together. I would definately recommend this book.
I hated pretty much every character in this book.
So much.
But I still really enjoyed it.
Still wouldn't mind if they had all died in a nuclear attack.
So much.
But I still really enjoyed it.
Still wouldn't mind if they had all died in a nuclear attack.
Quiet and lovely, but the childish reader in me wanted Caskey to have a more definitive victory over the more frustrating characters.
What I like best about Elizabeth Strout's writing....she allows me to decide how I feel about her characters... even though some of the characters sometime try to tell me how I should feel. Another good New England read by Strout.