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nataliemcollins's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining enough. Just didn't meet my expectations based on the jacket.
bookslovejenna's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Five things about The Excellent Lombards by Jane Hamilton 3/5⭐️
1. At moments I adored this book and the oddly familiar feeling but altogether foreign images of childhood it wove so effortlessly together.
2. At moments I abhorred the subject matter introduced but never fully addressed in a proactive way or a way that would lead to positive momentum.
3. At moments it was impossible not to feel lost as you tumbled through storytelling that felt like it was set in the 40s or 50s but then a reference to a song or an entertainment device would place you soundly and disconcertingly in the 90s.
4. It explores themes of family, place, and belonging in ways I wish had been more intentionally developed.
5. All in all, certain chapters were incredibly strong and certain chapters should have been cut altogether and as a whole the book just didn’t work for me.
1. At moments I adored this book and the oddly familiar feeling but altogether foreign images of childhood it wove so effortlessly together.
2. At moments I abhorred the subject matter introduced but never fully addressed in a proactive way or a way that would lead to positive momentum.
3. At moments it was impossible not to feel lost as you tumbled through storytelling that felt like it was set in the 40s or 50s but then a reference to a song or an entertainment device would place you soundly and disconcertingly in the 90s.
4. It explores themes of family, place, and belonging in ways I wish had been more intentionally developed.
5. All in all, certain chapters were incredibly strong and certain chapters should have been cut altogether and as a whole the book just didn’t work for me.
figment's review against another edition
2.0
The book recounts a smattering of events involving the Lombard family, loosely linked to a theme about future ownership of the family orchard. The premise of the story was intriguing, but I found the execution to be unsatisfying. I never felt more than superficially acquainted with any of the characters, and it seemed to me that too many storylines were left hanging. I wouldn't go so far as to say I disliked the book, but my "it was okay" rating is tepid and I won't be keeping this book.
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
3.0
This coming of age story doesn't have anything really remarkable to say, but was a pleasant read overall. Mary Frances, also known as Francie, Marlena, Frankie, and MF, lives on an apple farm in Wisconsin with her extended and complicated family. Not very much happens. This covers about 4 years from 12-16 as Mary Frances struggles with who she is and her place on the farm.
There are some really tender moments, and poignant scenes between Mary Frances and her mother especially but overall this seems pretty forgettable.
I would suggest this to someone looking for a lighter rural coming of age story. On a very positive note, my book club had mixed reactions but fostered a really good discussion of family, ambition, relationships, and parenting.
There are some really tender moments, and poignant scenes between Mary Frances and her mother especially but overall this seems pretty forgettable.
I would suggest this to someone looking for a lighter rural coming of age story. On a very positive note, my book club had mixed reactions but fostered a really good discussion of family, ambition, relationships, and parenting.
carrieneptune's review against another edition
slow-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? No
3.5
gweiswasser's review against another edition
2.0
Full review at: http://everydayiwritethebookblog.com/2016/09/excellent-lombards-jane-hamilton/
I don’t want to spend any more minutes of my life than necessary on Jane Hamilton’s The Excellent Lombards, so this will be short.
I did not like The Excellent Lombards. It’s about Mary Francis, a girl growing up on an apple orchard in Wisconsin with her family. Her dad shares the farm with his brother, so there are issues about who gets what, who makes the decisions, and who will work the orchard in the next generation. Her mean great aunt and various cousins come and go, as does a middle school teacher she develops a crush on. The book ends with the question, will Francis go to college or stay on the farm?
Honestly, The Excellent Lombards was so boring I can’t even summarize it. I didn’t care at all about any of the characters, especially Mary Francis, who was selfish and self-absorbed and didn’t expand her worldview at all during the book. It was a chore to get through it. I could barely follow the characters or the anemic plot, and I just wanted to get the book over with so that I could move on to something better.
I’ve enjoyed others of Hamilton’s novels – A Map of the World, The Book of Ruth – and I can’t believe this was written by the same person.
I don’t want to spend any more minutes of my life than necessary on Jane Hamilton’s The Excellent Lombards, so this will be short.
I did not like The Excellent Lombards. It’s about Mary Francis, a girl growing up on an apple orchard in Wisconsin with her family. Her dad shares the farm with his brother, so there are issues about who gets what, who makes the decisions, and who will work the orchard in the next generation. Her mean great aunt and various cousins come and go, as does a middle school teacher she develops a crush on. The book ends with the question, will Francis go to college or stay on the farm?
Honestly, The Excellent Lombards was so boring I can’t even summarize it. I didn’t care at all about any of the characters, especially Mary Francis, who was selfish and self-absorbed and didn’t expand her worldview at all during the book. It was a chore to get through it. I could barely follow the characters or the anemic plot, and I just wanted to get the book over with so that I could move on to something better.
I’ve enjoyed others of Hamilton’s novels – A Map of the World, The Book of Ruth – and I can’t believe this was written by the same person.
bob_dw's review against another edition
4.0
Unique unreliable narrator provides an interesting tale of family dynamics, agricultural and cultural history, and coming of age (the narrator) on a apple farm in Wisconsin.
drsarahgrace's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I did.
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.ca/2016/07/the-excellent-lombards.html
jenlouden's review against another edition
4.0
What a delight. Wry coming of age story with a wonderful tone of refreshing innocence. A love letter to family. A times a bit disjointed in how time is handled and also not a totally satisfying ending. Still, very refreshing and heartening.