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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I really enjoy Ann Patchett's writing style. This is a short family drama that has a lot to do with race relations, politics, and what makes a family. Most of the activity takes place over 24 hrs, but she has excellent character development and it's just a well written novel. Not super exciting but a satisfying read.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book did not have much of a storyline to draw you in.
I thought this was a well-written if contrived book. The plot is truly ludicrous and as a future adoptive parent I am not sure how kindly I look upon the sub-plot that involves a birth mother stalking the children she had adopted. However, the attempt of this white author to write about c in a major US city--however clumsy--was appreciated. And I got a warm feeling in interacting with these characters. It was almost like an updated version or adult version of L'Engles "The Young Unicorns."
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some interesting commentary and overarching themes on poverty, race, adoption. There wasn't enough character development for me (except for Kenya who was the most precocious, intelligent 11 year old ever). The wrap-up didn't quite work for me.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
A slow burn like the old Anne Patchett loves. Very wholesome and an overall joy to read. A nice little family story. Brothers! And a kind dad. Similar to eating a good Oreo. Would rank it below truth and beauty though.
I would have given this 5 stars, if only Patchett hadn't let some scenes and storylines just go on way too long. It's not the almost perfect tale that Bel Canto was, but it does have the same elements of relationships intersecting in interesting and strange ways. I liked how she tied everything together at the end, and how loss was not necessarily overcome, but abided, as we do in life. As an adoptive parent, I found the adoption themes very interesting, and for those unfamiliar with the bonds adoptive parents have with their children, this nails it.