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kelseybeckett's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
minaetc's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
laurareane's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn’t get into this book; I tried. I skimmed the last 100 pages to see what happened. I don’t think I missed anything important
It’s too bad because I really enjoyed The Sister Brothers
It’s too bad because I really enjoyed The Sister Brothers
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Congenial mother-son ocean-hopping saga, memorable characters and relationships.
4.5 stars.
There should be an equivalent in literature to the 'manic pixie dream girl' trope, for eccentric older women who dance to their own tune. Frances reminded me of Audra in 'Standard Deviation', and is quite an impressive creation for a male writer.
Adult son Malcolm lives with his mother Frances, both far outstripping their income with their outlandish spending, which eventually catches up with them. In order to avoid the financial implications, they sell what they can and sail to Paris, meeting a variety of unusual characters along the way. While you might argue that nothing of much import occurs, the book is filled with small incidents, moments of humour, and an expected storyline featuring Small Frank the cat, a possible reincarnation of Frances' dead husband.
Tragi-comic, it felt as though Frances couldn't possibly fall, she would surely bounce. Malcolm's relationship with his mother was bordering on the bizarre and unhealthy, his unsophisticated constitution frustrating as well as funny.
You could not box the author in, the author of this and Western 'The Sisters Brothers'. Both with some quite dark humour, the feel of a place and time here well-drawn. The story hints at what is to come, and it was a little surprising but entirely appropriate.
A good choice for reading groups, some fascinating characters to dig into.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
4.5 stars.
There should be an equivalent in literature to the 'manic pixie dream girl' trope, for eccentric older women who dance to their own tune. Frances reminded me of Audra in 'Standard Deviation', and is quite an impressive creation for a male writer.
Adult son Malcolm lives with his mother Frances, both far outstripping their income with their outlandish spending, which eventually catches up with them. In order to avoid the financial implications, they sell what they can and sail to Paris, meeting a variety of unusual characters along the way. While you might argue that nothing of much import occurs, the book is filled with small incidents, moments of humour, and an expected storyline featuring Small Frank the cat, a possible reincarnation of Frances' dead husband.
Tragi-comic, it felt as though Frances couldn't possibly fall, she would surely bounce. Malcolm's relationship with his mother was bordering on the bizarre and unhealthy, his unsophisticated constitution frustrating as well as funny.
You could not box the author in, the author of this and Western 'The Sisters Brothers'. Both with some quite dark humour, the feel of a place and time here well-drawn. The story hints at what is to come, and it was a little surprising but entirely appropriate.
A good choice for reading groups, some fascinating characters to dig into.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Congenial mother-son ocean-hopping saga, memorable characters and relationships.
4.5 stars.
There should be an equivalent in literature to the 'manic pixie dream girl' trope, for eccentric older women who dance to their own tune. Frances reminded me of Audra in 'Standard Deviation', and is quite an impressive creation for a male writer.
Adult son Malcolm lives with his mother Frances, both far outstripping their income with their outlandish spending, which eventually catches up with them. In order to avoid the financial implications, they sell what they can and sail to Paris, meeting a variety of unusual characters along the way. While you might argue that nothing of much import occurs, the book is filled with small incidents, moments of humour, and an expected storyline featuring Small Frank the cat, a possible reincarnation of Frances' dead husband.
Tragi-comic, it felt as though Frances couldn't possibly fall, she would surely bounce. Malcolm's relationship with his mother was bordering on the bizarre and unhealthy, his unsophisticated constitution frustrating as well as funny.
You could not box the author in, the author of this and Western 'The Sisters Brothers'. Both with some quite dark humour, the feel of a place and time here well-drawn. The story hints at what is to come, and it was a little surprising but entirely appropriate.
A good choice for reading groups, some fascinating characters to dig into.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
4.5 stars.
There should be an equivalent in literature to the 'manic pixie dream girl' trope, for eccentric older women who dance to their own tune. Frances reminded me of Audra in 'Standard Deviation', and is quite an impressive creation for a male writer.
Adult son Malcolm lives with his mother Frances, both far outstripping their income with their outlandish spending, which eventually catches up with them. In order to avoid the financial implications, they sell what they can and sail to Paris, meeting a variety of unusual characters along the way. While you might argue that nothing of much import occurs, the book is filled with small incidents, moments of humour, and an expected storyline featuring Small Frank the cat, a possible reincarnation of Frances' dead husband.
Tragi-comic, it felt as though Frances couldn't possibly fall, she would surely bounce. Malcolm's relationship with his mother was bordering on the bizarre and unhealthy, his unsophisticated constitution frustrating as well as funny.
You could not box the author in, the author of this and Western 'The Sisters Brothers'. Both with some quite dark humour, the feel of a place and time here well-drawn. The story hints at what is to come, and it was a little surprising but entirely appropriate.
A good choice for reading groups, some fascinating characters to dig into.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
catseye's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
The most enjoyable book with the most blaisse characters and tone. Ethereal
biglibraryenergy's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
erintowner's review against another edition
3.0
Everyone in this book was the worst. I liked Frances sometimes. Parts of the story were funny and Frances had some deep insight into life. CW suicide.
carolyn0613's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting novel. Frances is a rich eccentric New Yorker but when her money runs out, she moves to Paris with her grown up son Malcolm. Malcolm is also quite eccentric. I can't say I liked either Frances or Malcolm but it did find their relationship somewhat endearing - two emotionally stunted people who genuinely loved each other. I'm not sure if I missed something vital in the plotline but the story is a bit vague and the ending was a little anticlimactic. There were quite a few loose ends but on reflection, I think these don't matter as they fit in with the vague plotline. It's certainly a readable book and is quite short. I don't think I wasted my time reading it and I think this author will improve.