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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Wow. I had a good feeling about this author based on friends’ opinions and they steered me rightly. The final chapter opens with a paragraph about flying over Connecticut in a helicopter and being surprised by how many rivers there are. Joella has created a similar landscape in this book, taking the many streams of each character’s life, Greg and his life-threatening diagnosis, Darcy still grieving her husband ten years post-loss, Ginger, Luke, Alex, Ahmed and more, and bringing them together in a delta of stories. While, at times I felt like I was flying overhead, I too, was surprised by how these rivers intersected. A Little Hope was layered and emotional, connecting characters in a small Connecticut community without being forced or convenient. I cried when they cried. I laughed when they laughed. I found the characters deeply human. I resonated when they voiced thoughts I am sometimes too ashamed to admit I’ve had or emotions I wish I could change—when anger or jealousy is unsolicited or unexplainable in my heart, but also unshakeable. There was a subtlety to the closure and character development, so subtle I had to actively reflect back on how characters had grown or changed. Some transformed dramatically and some very little at all, but isn’t that life?
The bottom line: The intricate weaving together of these characters’ lives in this small community and their grappling with grief in its many forms made this a beautiful debut by this author. I already have The Same Bright Stars waiting on my shelf to read next. For a book that dealt with such serious content, I was left with exactly what its title promises—more than just a little hope.
— NOTES —
Genres: literary fiction
POV: third-person
Content: cancer, death, grief, infidelity
The bottom line: The intricate weaving together of these characters’ lives in this small community and their grappling with grief in its many forms made this a beautiful debut by this author. I already have The Same Bright Stars waiting on my shelf to read next. For a book that dealt with such serious content, I was left with exactly what its title promises—more than just a little hope.
— NOTES —
Genres: literary fiction
POV: third-person
Content: cancer, death, grief, infidelity
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Excellent writing and interweaving of characters as they navigate a year of their lives.
I love books that make you feel like we’re all connected - and A Little Hope did just that. I cried with these characters, cheered for their happy moments and found myself aching in how much sadness people have in their seemingly normal lives.
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for some heartache
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for some heartache
hopeful
reflective
sad
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
emotional
This was a change of pace read for me, and while it wasn't a page turner, it definitely held my attention and I felt quite attached to the (many) characters by the end.
This story follows the lives of many people who are all slightly connected as they navigate both the seemingly perfect and extremely difficult highs and lows of life. I really enjoyed reading how all the different characters fit together, and how their perceptions of each other were both wrong and true.
While it did end with a little hope, I found myself wishing for a bit more of it along the way ("real life" has felt quite heavy lately in general!) So for the right time/right reader, it’s definitely one to make you think about your priorities in life and I am happy to have read it! 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Scriber Books for my gifted review copy.
This story follows the lives of many people who are all slightly connected as they navigate both the seemingly perfect and extremely difficult highs and lows of life. I really enjoyed reading how all the different characters fit together, and how their perceptions of each other were both wrong and true.
While it did end with a little hope, I found myself wishing for a bit more of it along the way ("real life" has felt quite heavy lately in general!) So for the right time/right reader, it’s definitely one to make you think about your priorities in life and I am happy to have read it! 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Scriber Books for my gifted review copy.