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jobatkin 's review for:
The Lola Quartet
by Emily St. John Mandel
Not a bad story, but I didn't find it as gripping or unique as [b:Station Eleven|20170404|Station Eleven|Emily St. John Mandel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451446835l/20170404._SY75_.jpg|28098716]. Much of the story revolved around regret and disappointment with bad choices and missed opportunities, or described the depression and poverty resulting from the economic recession, which made the overall tone quite depressing and lacking in hope. The suburban Florida setting, depressed teenagers and undercurrents of violence and secrets actually reminded me of [b:The Goldfinch|17333223|The Goldfinch|Donna Tartt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451554970l/17333223._SY75_.jpg|24065147]. Anna's story was by far the most interesting out of all of the characters, as she steals money from a drug dealer then escapes with her baby and lives on the run. The quartet members who try to help her are all flawed but well-intentioned and their stories are just not as interesting. Although music is supposedly part of what binds them together it doesn't really tie the story together, which meanders without a real sense of purpose for much of the book. I found the characters hard to relate to as well. The writing was good and there were interesting aspects to the story but overall not a favourite.