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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
In other circumstances I’d be down for a complicated novel with dozens of characters, but I realized that while moving & dealing with a bunch of other things, I really can’t do complicated timelines or multiple narrators rn! Hoping to return to this sometime.
This is a review of the audiobook version of this novel. I really enjoyed the narration and following the characters through different moments in their lives. It was hard to keep track of all the characters and how they related to each other, but I don't think this would have been a problem with the print book.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this highly readable, deceptively simple family drama. Most chapters follow a different member of a large and meandering family tree, resulting in an implicit tracing of generational trauma that is revealing but never heavy handed. This was accompanied by a constantly shifting writing style depending on the narrator, which was largely wasted on me, but I predict would astound and delight someone with more literary expertise. I also had a little bit of trouble recalling the connections between the scores of characters, but the chapters were just as impactful when regarded as free standing short stories.
I had a hard time getting into this one. But then it turned a corner. I found myself wanting to jot down lines often but struggling to keep reading. The second half flew by but overall not a great fit for me.
4.5 stars - I really loved this one! It’s set up in a unique way with multiple perspectives interweaving throughout. I recommend reading this not as an audiobook as there is a cast of characters in the front and I had trouble keeping track of them without referring back to it in the print copy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The stories were captivating. However, I found it a bit chaotic in parts. There were so many characters to keep track of and at times, due to the writing style, it was difficult. I honestly went back and forth between giving it 3 or 4 stars. I chose 4 as I feel that 3 and lower can be a deterrent, and I definitely would still recommend this book.
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first bit of this book was kind of choppy and seemed to be trying to hard to be clever. But, as soon as the stories of these characters start getting longer, it got really good (starting with the multi-chapter story about Eddie). In a way, this is a series of short stories of characters who happen to be related. Some of them are more connected than others and it is too many characters to keep track of. I definitely wanted more story for some of these characters (especially Eloise and Jeb). Lastly, I'll note that it has probably been 25 years since I read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and I imagine having this as a more current reference in my head would have further enhanced my enjoyment of this book.