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kricketa's review against another edition
5.0
This is just the Lamott I needed. I can’t believe I let so much time go by before reading this, but maybe I knew all along that I should save a couple of her novels for this era when all she is publishing is the same cute essays over and over and over (see my review of Grace Eventually.)
This one is a slow moving, quiet, luscious reflection on the main character (Nanny, as always, layered with Annie) and her growing up years in Marin County during the sixties. There are so many familiar aspects of this story- the setting overlaps with all of Anne’s own memoir pieces, with Hard Laughter, with Blue Shoe- and Nanny has wild blond hair- but at the same time, it’s new, with a new family and friends. As always, I laughed my arse off at Anne’s wry metaphors. Beautiful. Beautiful.
This one is a slow moving, quiet, luscious reflection on the main character (Nanny, as always, layered with Annie) and her growing up years in Marin County during the sixties. There are so many familiar aspects of this story- the setting overlaps with all of Anne’s own memoir pieces, with Hard Laughter, with Blue Shoe- and Nanny has wild blond hair- but at the same time, it’s new, with a new family and friends. As always, I laughed my arse off at Anne’s wry metaphors. Beautiful. Beautiful.
caseykc's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Anne Lamott novel. I read it when I was in college and I remember being struck by the ease and intimacy of her writing. It was so honest and beautiful. At that point I knew nothing about any of her other books but I was hooked on her voice and have loved her ever since.
etches's review against another edition
5.0
I just couldn't shake these characters. I felt like I was surrounded by them the whole time I was reading this novel, which made me wish even more that this book was longer, so those thoroughly beloved, absorbing characters could stick around just a bit longer.
lydiagwaybright's review against another edition
4.0
the epitome of “‘nothing happens,’ yeah but the vibes”
deniset's review against another edition
reflective
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
2.5
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
3.0
Thinly veiled autobiography, though I don't think her mom had one nostril bigger than the other.
Quote: "...I said to her...'Why do we make it all seem like a crisis, over and over again? Why do we worry it all to death, like dogs with socks or chew-toys? Look at it this way,' he said to me. 'In a hundred years? ---All new people.'"
Quote: "...I said to her...'Why do we make it all seem like a crisis, over and over again? Why do we worry it all to death, like dogs with socks or chew-toys? Look at it this way,' he said to me. 'In a hundred years? ---All new people.'"
angeladoll's review
4.0
I am a fan of Anne Lamott's nonfiction work but have had some trouble diving into her fiction. This was the first of her fiction that I felt some connection to and I enjoyed reading it. Still, I gravitate more toward non-fiction overall. That's my bag.
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