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elsebeok's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Dementia
Minor: Chronic illness
lisdahl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Medical content
e11en's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although the first few chapters dragged, I ended up liking this much more than I thought I would. I’m just a sucker for expansive family dramas.
The narrator is frustratingly selfish and completely unlikable but the voice is so distinctive that it’s easy to become lost in the story.
The narrator is frustratingly selfish and completely unlikable but the voice is so distinctive that it’s easy to become lost in the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Death of parent
jjoyce's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
hate_crimed_at_chilis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
Goddamn it’s a good book, devoured that shit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
oliviaskye's review against another edition
4.0
Not my typical read, but once I heard it was set in my hometown, I had to read it! I have to say the author did such a great job with not only describing Elkins Park, but the atmosphere, community, adjacent towns, etc. So much so that I was shocked she wasn't from here originally - she has that she had a connection to Wyncote through a mutual friend, and that was where she got her information from - and she did such a good job. It truly felt like someone from Elkins Park (like Danny) wrote the book. And since the book is told in Danny's POV, it made the entire story feel so much real, as if it was really him telling the story.
As for the actual plot of the book, I thought it was pretty good. I absolutely DESPISED Andrea. She got me so angry, and I love books that can invoke that sort of emotion from me. I also loved how the book came full circle in a way too. The only thing that I was a bit disappointed by, was that it wasn't paranormal - I know, it sounds strange, but I felt like with how much the mother (Elna) hated the house, and how she always acted strange until she couldn't take it anymore and left, made it seem as if it was foreshadowing something darker at play. Especially how Elna called the house 'evil' and that the staff said that she started acting 'strange', and then with the paintings too. It just felt like it was set up for a more paranormal/mystery type of plot, and then it just didn't deliver, which was pretty disappointing. But, overall I still really enjoyed it.
As for the actual plot of the book, I thought it was pretty good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
eg_demps's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Dementia, and Emotional abuse
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Epic family drama is not usually the sort of story I'm drawn to, but I do like a good sibling tale and I enjoy sampling the work of great writers who don't write in my preferred styles and genres. Tom Hanks narrating a sibling story by Ann Patchett seemed like the perfect opportunity. And it was! I read a few chapters throughout — enough to know that Hanks's narration probably added a full star of enjoyment to my rating. It's not a fast read either way, but what felt too slow in my hands became a fascinating and skillful unfolding in his.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Dementia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death
virdix14's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse