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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A former mayor of Boston has adopted twins named "Tip" and "Teddy." Needless to say, this one had me at hello.
Enjoyable writing, but the story was not incredibly captivating. It used aspects of magical realism, but didn’t really commit so it didn’t feel cohesive.
As always, Patchett grabbed my attention with her compelling stories and bit of magical whimsy right away in Run. I grew to be invested in Teddy and Tip, the young boys who are adopted towards the beginning of the story and of whom the book largely centers the plot.
Patchett explores the different dynamics of each member of the adopted family when she introduces the birth mother on the scene. It seemed disingenuous that the boys had never considered searching for her (but I know every adoptee approaches that differently). But the differing perspectives at times seemed almost clinical. Less emotive than I would expect under the circumstances of the dramatic 24 hours that takes up the majority of the book. It hardly seemed realistic that way.
All in all, I liked it. I liked the story. I would recommend it for any Patchett fan. However, I would say it isn't as informed about adoption relationships as I would hope for. I also kept waiting for some key plot details about the adoptive mother to come back around at the end. While it sort of did, frankly I wasn't that satisfied. It felt like the author ran out of paper and put a bow on what would have been far more complicated a finale.
So, I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for generosity because Pachett remains one of my favorite authors and her stories grab my heart and imagination every time.
Patchett explores the different dynamics of each member of the adopted family when she introduces the birth mother on the scene. It seemed disingenuous that the boys had never considered searching for her (but I know every adoptee approaches that differently). But the differing perspectives at times seemed almost clinical. Less emotive than I would expect under the circumstances of the dramatic 24 hours that takes up the majority of the book. It hardly seemed realistic that way.
All in all, I liked it. I liked the story. I would recommend it for any Patchett fan. However, I would say it isn't as informed about adoption relationships as I would hope for. I also kept waiting for some key plot details about the adoptive mother to come back around at the end. While it sort of did, frankly I wasn't that satisfied. It felt like the author ran out of paper and put a bow on what would have been far more complicated a finale.
So, I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for generosity because Pachett remains one of my favorite authors and her stories grab my heart and imagination every time.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Patchett continues to write beautifully. I had high expectations for a book called "Run," but I couldn't identify with the runner. This book didn't pack the emotional wallop of "Bel Canto" or even that of "The Magician's Assistant". Patchett has a way of taking some fairly out there combinations of people and tying their lives together. This time the ties struck me as very plausible and yet I left feeling a little cheated out of something- some important tale or point.
Even though I'm a little disappointed, I still plan to read more of her work.
Even though I'm a little disappointed, I still plan to read more of her work.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors. She did not disappoint with this one