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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Spoonbenders was a great book to listen to on a recent road trip. The story follows “The Amazing Telemachus Family,” most of whom have supernatural powers.
Oldest daughter Irene can spot a lie, middle son Frankie can (sometimes) move objects, and youngest son Buddy can tell the future. Their mother, Maureen, is a strong clairvoyant who dies too young, and the patriarch, Teddy, is the only one without any power, but who has a few tricks of his own.
Each power, however, comes with its own negatives, and the family is plagued with difficulties throughout their lives. When Irene’s son, Matty, suddenly discovers the ability to travel astrally, things get really interesting
There are many humorous moments, and some clever things that occur throughout the book that are all connected in the end. Spoonbenders kept both my husband’s and my attention, and the ending was very fitting.
Oldest daughter Irene can spot a lie, middle son Frankie can (sometimes) move objects, and youngest son Buddy can tell the future. Their mother, Maureen, is a strong clairvoyant who dies too young, and the patriarch, Teddy, is the only one without any power, but who has a few tricks of his own.
Each power, however, comes with its own negatives, and the family is plagued with difficulties throughout their lives. When Irene’s son, Matty, suddenly discovers the ability to travel astrally, things get really interesting
There are many humorous moments, and some clever things that occur throughout the book that are all connected in the end. Spoonbenders kept both my husband’s and my attention, and the ending was very fitting.
Great book about three generations of a family who all have their own various types of psychic powers. You'd expect with so many characters that it might be hard to keep track of them all, but they're all so vibrantly written as to tell them all apart pretty easily. It all wraps up in a satisfying crescendo. My favorite character was Buddy, who was so befuddled with his visions of the future that he could barely function.
Thanks to Knopf and Edelweiss for early access to this title.
VERY GOOD! I loved the characters and the plot is great, but I enjoyed the language most of all. Its almost like reading an old film noir, Dashell Hammett type of novel. There were a number of laugh-out-loud linguistic moments that are worthy of underlining. Its kind of a quirky, engaging book that makes you feel good without being a "feel good" book. All the storylines are great, and that ending denouement is one of the best I've ever read. Maybe a bit too quirky for some people, but if you enjoy family novels, stories with con artists, mobsters, teens, children, lovers, government agents and, of course, psychics, this is the book for you. Highly Recommended!
VERY GOOD! I loved the characters and the plot is great, but I enjoyed the language most of all. Its almost like reading an old film noir, Dashell Hammett type of novel. There were a number of laugh-out-loud linguistic moments that are worthy of underlining. Its kind of a quirky, engaging book that makes you feel good without being a "feel good" book. All the storylines are great, and that ending denouement is one of the best I've ever read. Maybe a bit too quirky for some people, but if you enjoy family novels, stories with con artists, mobsters, teens, children, lovers, government agents and, of course, psychics, this is the book for you. Highly Recommended!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a spoiler-free review
Read on In The Sheets
Right out of the gate, let me say that this book was a blast. I'd walked past it on several different trips to chapters and the cover / title really caught my eye. I finally picked it up and could not have been more pleased.
Spoonbenders is a super fun story about a family with special powers. They were The Partridge Family but with talents that didn't make you want to nap, until they have a bad experience on live TV (with a character who is essentially The Amazing Randi whom I adore)>/i> and their showbiz career instantly dies.
Fast forward a couple dozen years to the 90's (the nostalgia is real). The Mom has passed away, the Dad is an old fraud, the kids are leading mundane complicated lives, the grandkids are now in the mix, and the government would really like to speak with them.
Each chapter switches back and forth between family members and perspectives. It's expertly done. Buddy's abilities make his PoV delightful. It also has just the right amount of references to the decade to set the tone and make it feel right without shoving references and nostalgia down your throat like it's bragging about the 90's instead of telling a story (Which happens a lot in other books).
Unexpectedly, and not at all related to story, I think Spoonbenders has also made me wanna paint my living room that shade of blue? So thanks for that.
The Telemachus family is awesome and quirky and Daryl's writing is on point. He's hilarious and the characters are all unique and expertly developed. I have zero complaints. What a treat, honestly.
Read on In The Sheets
Right out of the gate, let me say that this book was a blast. I'd walked past it on several different trips to chapters and the cover / title really caught my eye. I finally picked it up and could not have been more pleased.
Spoonbenders is a super fun story about a family with special powers. They were The Partridge Family but with talents that didn't make you want to nap, until they have a bad experience on live TV (with a character who is essentially The Amazing Randi whom I adore)>/i> and their showbiz career instantly dies.
Fast forward a couple dozen years to the 90's (the nostalgia is real). The Mom has passed away, the Dad is an old fraud, the kids are leading mundane complicated lives, the grandkids are now in the mix, and the government would really like to speak with them.
Each chapter switches back and forth between family members and perspectives. It's expertly done. Buddy's abilities make his PoV delightful. It also has just the right amount of references to the decade to set the tone and make it feel right without shoving references and nostalgia down your throat like it's bragging about the 90's instead of telling a story (Which happens a lot in other books).
Unexpectedly, and not at all related to story, I think Spoonbenders has also made me wanna paint my living room that shade of blue? So thanks for that.
The Telemachus family is awesome and quirky and Daryl's writing is on point. He's hilarious and the characters are all unique and expertly developed. I have zero complaints. What a treat, honestly.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Daryl Gregory has taken the ordinary and made it into something entirely different. If you loved the show Heroes and want something with that vibe but on the scale of an American families experience with psychic powers, then this is for you.
This book had heart, intrigue, comedy and writing that kept me on the edge of seat from page one.
This book had heart, intrigue, comedy and writing that kept me on the edge of seat from page one.
Gregory is always a treat. Weird, funny, and offbeat but with a cast of characters that make you want to turn the page. A mashup of supernatural and the mafia. How can you go wrong.