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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
This is a strange kind of book, structured almost as a series of interlocking short stories, but also very much rooted in play-writing, that follows the lives of two families who are connected by the marriage of a white man and a black woman. The book follows the various members of these families, exploring their connections, secrets, and foibles over the span of fifty years.
There was a lot of promise here, but the structure gave me a lot of trouble. The nonlinear narration and the seemingly never-ending cast of characters made it hard to follow exactly what was going on and who was related to whom. The ultimate result is a book that's "just okay" and not transcendent.
There was a lot of promise here, but the structure gave me a lot of trouble. The nonlinear narration and the seemingly never-ending cast of characters made it hard to follow exactly what was going on and who was related to whom. The ultimate result is a book that's "just okay" and not transcendent.
3.5 stars. It’s beautifully written, but the series of interlocking short stories format made it hard for me to keep track of characters. If I’d had time to read it faster (over a couple of days, rather than a week) I might have liked it more.
3.5 rounded up. Great story telling. A lot going on with sometimes too much to keep track of.
Too many characters with multiple overlapping timelines and relationships, tough to follow and lost my attention many times. The concept is intriguing though.
I just don't think I'm made for vignette style books, or books where there are so many time skips. Porter definitely can write a book, and her style is in every page of every character's life and persona, but there's just so many! There were characters I was attached to and really wanted to know more about, but then I'd get confused and forget who was who. She does go over topics of race and the war and fidelity and growing up, but it felt like too much all at once.
If she comes out with a smaller focused novel, I'd definitely read it. This one took some time getting through, but the diamonds in it really shone.
If she comes out with a smaller focused novel, I'd definitely read it. This one took some time getting through, but the diamonds in it really shone.
this is really more like 3.5 stars. it was an interesting exploration of characters from a whole range of direct and peripheral perspectives, but it felt much more like a short story book than a novel. i think i don't like it when something is framed as a novel but doesn't read like one to me--i think if this were called a short story collection i might have given it 4 stars, but as it was i kept waiting for all the tendrils to weave together in a deeper way than they did.
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
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
The Travelers is a multi-generational story centred on two families - one Black, one white. Over the years there is a sprawling cast of characters, interconnected in a variety of ways. There’s not exactly a linear plot; more a set a vignettes or short stories focussing on key moments that jump back and forward in time. Plenty of meaty material - issues of race, gender and sexuality, domestic abuse, class factors, PTSD, and so much more. And yet it never fully came together in a satisfying whole for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Racism, Rape