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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
2.5 (it was okay) for me but I'll bump it up to a 3 because I'm such a sweetheart (said no one ever).
This is the story of a once famous family who were shamed when their patriarch screws up on national tv and exposes himself for a fraud. Except they’re not all frauds but try telling that to anyone after the public shaming. Now they have to eek out a living like the rest of us schulbs. I think I’m one of the few people who did not find this book exciting, humorous and a rip-roaring good time. I didn’t like the time jumps which I found confusing on audio, I did not care about any of the characters, nor did I care what they were doing, who they were dating, or what binds they were getting themselves into. I’m not going to write a review because I’m lazy and because I know this one is truly a case of my personal taste and my current “meh” mood. I think I’m going to have to quit reading for a bit or at least quit forcing myself through ARC’s because I have lost all the joy for books at this point in time.
This is the story of a once famous family who were shamed when their patriarch screws up on national tv and exposes himself for a fraud. Except they’re not all frauds but try telling that to anyone after the public shaming. Now they have to eek out a living like the rest of us schulbs. I think I’m one of the few people who did not find this book exciting, humorous and a rip-roaring good time. I didn’t like the time jumps which I found confusing on audio, I did not care about any of the characters, nor did I care what they were doing, who they were dating, or what binds they were getting themselves into. I’m not going to write a review because I’m lazy and because I know this one is truly a case of my personal taste and my current “meh” mood. I think I’m going to have to quit reading for a bit or at least quit forcing myself through ARC’s because I have lost all the joy for books at this point in time.
Full of screenplay excitement, but not what I had hoped the plot would turn into
Wow. This book was a completely delightful awesome surprise. When it arrived in a galley box, it immediately caught my attention with the cover. When I read the description and saw that it was about a family of psychics, I knew that I had to read it.
This book was better than I could have expected. I did not realize that there was a giant hole in my reading life that could only be filled by a book about a family of psychics until I read this book. It was a book I needed in my life. Following three generations of the Telemachus family, this book introduces you to a crazy cast of characters, each one weirder than the last. I loved every character as I watched them try to navigate life, work, the mob, love, and puberty, all while dealing with their differing psychic abilities. A must read.
This book was better than I could have expected. I did not realize that there was a giant hole in my reading life that could only be filled by a book about a family of psychics until I read this book. It was a book I needed in my life. Following three generations of the Telemachus family, this book introduces you to a crazy cast of characters, each one weirder than the last. I loved every character as I watched them try to navigate life, work, the mob, love, and puberty, all while dealing with their differing psychic abilities. A must read.
Spoonbenders is one of those novels that has a little bit of everything. It has gangsters and the CIA. It has psychic ability and con men. It has larger-than-life characters and those that garner almost no attention. It will make you laugh (a lot), tear at your heartstrings, and make you appreciate the craziness that is family. It does all this in one entertaining story that charms its way into your heart and lingers upon finishing.
The novel follows the Telemachus family as they live their daily lives. What starts out as separate incidents and experiences among the family members comes together into a family crisis that befits this crazy family. As part of the build-up to the crisis, we learn more about the family’s past, the tragedy that befell them and the hard luck that seemingly followed them after their act fell apart. These flashbacks do much to develop each member and flesh them out as people as well as explain more of the family dynamic. The story is outlandish but befits the family given their associates and friends as well as their own over-the-top personalities. The result is a story that would simply not work with any other cast but is perfect for this family and highly entertaining.
Given the large cast of characters, it would be easy to assume they are one-dimensional. Given the inclusion of the mob as well as the government, one’s assumptions might also include the idea that the characters are caricatures as well. In this regard, Mr. Gregory dashes all expectations by creating characters who leap off the page and into your heart. The entire Telemachus clan becomes your family, and you are effortlessly enfolded into their drama. Even the secondary characters find ways to break their stereotypical roles to become people we can understand and to whom it is relatively easy to relate. Since the family is the novel, relating to them, laughing and crying alongside them is essential.
In Spoonbenders, the Telemachus family is the story and the story is the Telemachus family. Like other family dramas, it reminds you that you cannot choose your family, and it also reminds you that family always supports one another. Along the way, you fall in love with this larger-than-life group that embraces life, its successes, and its failures.
The novel follows the Telemachus family as they live their daily lives. What starts out as separate incidents and experiences among the family members comes together into a family crisis that befits this crazy family. As part of the build-up to the crisis, we learn more about the family’s past, the tragedy that befell them and the hard luck that seemingly followed them after their act fell apart. These flashbacks do much to develop each member and flesh them out as people as well as explain more of the family dynamic. The story is outlandish but befits the family given their associates and friends as well as their own over-the-top personalities. The result is a story that would simply not work with any other cast but is perfect for this family and highly entertaining.
Given the large cast of characters, it would be easy to assume they are one-dimensional. Given the inclusion of the mob as well as the government, one’s assumptions might also include the idea that the characters are caricatures as well. In this regard, Mr. Gregory dashes all expectations by creating characters who leap off the page and into your heart. The entire Telemachus clan becomes your family, and you are effortlessly enfolded into their drama. Even the secondary characters find ways to break their stereotypical roles to become people we can understand and to whom it is relatively easy to relate. Since the family is the novel, relating to them, laughing and crying alongside them is essential.
In Spoonbenders, the Telemachus family is the story and the story is the Telemachus family. Like other family dramas, it reminds you that you cannot choose your family, and it also reminds you that family always supports one another. Along the way, you fall in love with this larger-than-life group that embraces life, its successes, and its failures.
Slow start awesome ending. It all worked out in the end.
I like a story where an intricate plan all comes together.
This was a delight. The characters were grounded and interesting outside of their psychic abilities, and I enjoyed the family dynamics on top of the magic and adventure. I also really respected how the book dealt with time, successfully weaving flashbacks throughout the narrative and creating complex layers with Buddy’s perspective.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes