Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
slow-paced
I enjoyed the author’s writing style so it was an easy read despite overall lack of interest, but for a “short” book eventually it started to feel longer and I wished it would end. There’s a lot of characters, but no real central plot to the book. They all have their separate situations within the same community. I understand character driven vs plot driven, but I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters which I feel is integral if you’re going to write a character driven book. Some of the perspectives were added so late into the book, I just didn’t see the point.
I have his next book, “A Quiet Life” on my shelf so I will be interested to see if it grasps me differently.
I have his next book, “A Quiet Life” on my shelf so I will be interested to see if it grasps me differently.
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
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
699. That's the population of the small town, village really, I grew up in. This is why I was interested in reading A Little Hope by Ethan Joella, which is set in the small town of Wharton, Connecticut. It delivered.
This evocative little book isn't full of fancy prose or rollercoaster thrills, probably much like the small town it's about. Reading it felt like going home. Although the tone of the story is often melancholic, nostalgic, and wistful, I would still say the title is apt. The numerous three-dimensional narrators, changing with each chapter, are going through life, rolling with the punches, some harder to take than others, some metaphorical and some literal. What they experience reminds the reader that sometimes just a little hope will get one through to whatever comes next, and what's next may be a bright, sunny day during one's favorite season. Or, if one prefers rain and/or clouds, it might be a cloudy day. Whatever. The point is a little hope helps endure life's difficulties.
Some readers will not care for the often heavy feeling that pervades the pages. Others won't like how the narrator changes with every chapter. However, keep in mind, critics, each narrator is fully developed and super well-rounded. One can sense exactly what they are feeling and will begin to feel it oneself, in one's very core. As for the sadness and heaviness, one must push through, as one does during these times in life. Feel a little hope for Greg, for Freddie, for Ginger, Alex, Kay, Darcy, and Iris. Yes, all of these separate characters and more, but they are each interconnected with one another in different ways. This added authenticity to the small-town story, for this is exactly how a small town is. Everyone knows everyone in one way or another, and life, as ever, continues to move forward.
This book is for the reader who enjoys books that hit one right in the feels and/or books with three-dimensional characters whose lives all twine together like a beautifully braided rope bracelet. It's also for readers who enjoy checking out debut authors. This is an outstanding debut.
This evocative little book isn't full of fancy prose or rollercoaster thrills, probably much like the small town it's about. Reading it felt like going home. Although the tone of the story is often melancholic, nostalgic, and wistful, I would still say the title is apt. The numerous three-dimensional narrators, changing with each chapter, are going through life, rolling with the punches, some harder to take than others, some metaphorical and some literal. What they experience reminds the reader that sometimes just a little hope will get one through to whatever comes next, and what's next may be a bright, sunny day during one's favorite season. Or, if one prefers rain and/or clouds, it might be a cloudy day. Whatever. The point is a little hope helps endure life's difficulties.
Some readers will not care for the often heavy feeling that pervades the pages. Others won't like how the narrator changes with every chapter. However, keep in mind, critics, each narrator is fully developed and super well-rounded. One can sense exactly what they are feeling and will begin to feel it oneself, in one's very core. As for the sadness and heaviness, one must push through, as one does during these times in life. Feel a little hope for Greg, for Freddie, for Ginger, Alex, Kay, Darcy, and Iris. Yes, all of these separate characters and more, but they are each interconnected with one another in different ways. This added authenticity to the small-town story, for this is exactly how a small town is. Everyone knows everyone in one way or another, and life, as ever, continues to move forward.
This book is for the reader who enjoys books that hit one right in the feels and/or books with three-dimensional characters whose lives all twine together like a beautifully braided rope bracelet. It's also for readers who enjoy checking out debut authors. This is an outstanding debut.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book shattered my soul, it's definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
I love an ensemble story so it was great, and it was so sad but at the same time so real and so full of hope. I read it in one morning and just couldn't stop, I cried really hard, but it was really beautiful
I love an ensemble story so it was great, and it was so sad but at the same time so real and so full of hope. I read it in one morning and just couldn't stop, I cried really hard, but it was really beautiful
sad
medium-paced
So, here’s the thing. I started it and liked it. Kept reading and liked it more. I met these people and I liked them. Someway, not exactly sure what it was but I was hooked. Everyone of the people here flawed but not one unkind. This morning when I finished I thought …. Wow. I love these people. There was a lot in this book. Love and loss. Fear and joy. Always, there was a little hope. I had to give it five stars. I really think anything less is shortchanging an author who wrote something so genuinely lovely, heartfelt and whose words glide seamlessly into the next.
What is life without a little hope? We have all had times in our lives when we have lost it. Sometimes we fear it won’t return. But when it does, we’re renewed and that is beautiful.
I hope you enjoy it, as well.
What is life without a little hope? We have all had times in our lives when we have lost it. Sometimes we fear it won’t return. But when it does, we’re renewed and that is beautiful.
I hope you enjoy it, as well.
I didn’t hate it but I didn’t really see the point? I know some books are more story telling without an overall
Point but even the story telling I couldn’t enjoy, it was so scattered in my opinion. I like the the loose end were tied up at the end but it was just like a small peak into many peoples lives who all lived in the same town, without any depth but a ton of details? Idk. I wanted to like it butttt wasn’t a fan.
Point but even the story telling I couldn’t enjoy, it was so scattered in my opinion. I like the the loose end were tied up at the end but it was just like a small peak into many peoples lives who all lived in the same town, without any depth but a ton of details? Idk. I wanted to like it butttt wasn’t a fan.