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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first Donal Ryan that I’ve read but it makes me want to read more. It seems to be three separate stories, each of which is excellent and then in the last few pages we learn of the connections between them. Lovely understated stories with beautiful language.
Most of this book reads as three separate stories of three separate men. Early in the book, I tried to predict how the first two narratives could be connected, and I was so off base and I stopped trying to find the links. The third narrator was surprising, and still I felt confused about where this novel was going. The writing is crisp; dialogue lyrical and so very Irish. They were good stories but it took until the very last chapters (with some new and brief narrators) to feel the tension really build (rather than meander) and understand that we were going to come to a satisfying conclusion. A depressing conclusion, but a satisfying one.
Really enjoyed the 3 stories but especially the first (maybe because I could relate to the character more easily). A little disappointed in how they were brought together at the end. Didn’t quite finish for me. But definitely recommend it
Started brilliantly with Farrouk's tale, then Lampy's. The third section, John, didn't quite have the same impact and the final section brings them together but felt like it left a lot unsaid. I had hoped for slightly more from the conclusion, but even seen as stand alone short stories the first two sections are worthwhile.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My husband and I listened to this on a car drive up to Yorkshire and back the same day - it's only about six and half hours long. I suppose I'd give it 3.5 stars really. It has wonderful writing (although with audio it's impossible to pause on anything and re-read), but I found the three voices uneven - much preferring Farouk's and Lampy's stories, where there was some action, rather than the action feeling as though it was at one remove (remembered, I suppose) by John's section. Lampy's was very funny at times. The fourth and final section where the pieces came together was clever and surprising (although again, there were parts - the lady from the care home for example - that didn't work for me).
Burst into tears at the very last line of the book. I only hope that one day I can achieve the level of mastery it takes to write a book like that, building to that last release of all the emotion the book inspired along the way.
I really enjoyed the first story about Farouk. Very real and it just makes you think. As for the other stories, it was okay. I think it's a good book to reflect on life.
A good read.
A good read.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes