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mjscooke's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the first sentence of Groundskeeping I was hooked on the lyrical language Lee Cole uses to convey the thoughts and observations of the protagonist Owen. The novel is a first person perspective lament exploring love, loss, family, ambition and comfort set predominantly at a University in Kentucky where Owen works on the grounds in order to take a class and Alma is perusing a writer in residence program. Kentucky is as much a character as they are and Cole writes beautiful observations of the surroundings while the story meanders through various meta conversations about art and life. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a love of language, and critical thinking, who enjoys calm slow novels. It is a passage of time novel that examines the minutia of the everyday and the people Owen chooses to prioritize within that time. All in all I enjoyed reading it mostly to wind down in the evenings.
From the first sentence of Groundskeeping I was hooked on the lyrical language Lee Cole uses to convey the thoughts and observations of the protagonist Owen. The novel is a first person perspective lament exploring love, loss, family, ambition and comfort set predominantly at a University in Kentucky where Owen works on the grounds in order to take a class and Alma is perusing a writer in residence program. Kentucky is as much a character as they are and Cole writes beautiful observations of the surroundings while the story meanders through various meta conversations about art and life. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a love of language, and critical thinking, who enjoys calm slow novels. It is a passage of time novel that examines the minutia of the everyday and the people Owen chooses to prioritize within that time. All in all I enjoyed reading it mostly to wind down in the evenings.
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Death, Racism, and War
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