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A review by sarahmadams
Take What You Need by Idra Novey
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
This is a book club read-and one of those reads I'd like to give two different ratings, one for enjoyability and one for technical execution.
This was a quick read. None of it dragged for me and I finished in two days. But it wasn't a deeply satisfying read. This is a book where a story is told, not necessarily a book where people are growing and changing and learning (which, to be fair, is the kind of book I prefer). Take away the structure of the story, and there's not a whole lot to the story. That's not fair. It's a story, and a well told one, but it doesn't have a lot of... movement? Emotionally or physically.
At times, it reminded me of Demon Copperhead--in its bleak portrayal of destitute America.
Once it reminded me of Station Eleven -- in its theme of making art at (what feels like) pointless circumstances. I liked that part.
Ultimately, I wanted it to be more than it was, which is mostly due to my own expectations rather than any failure on the author's part. People who like quieter books, may get more out of this than I did.
This was a quick read. None of it dragged for me and I finished in two days. But it wasn't a deeply satisfying read. This is a book where a story is told, not necessarily a book where people are growing and changing and learning (which, to be fair, is the kind of book I prefer). Take away the structure of the story, and there's not a whole lot to the story. That's not fair. It's a story, and a well told one, but it doesn't have a lot of... movement? Emotionally or physically.
At times, it reminded me of Demon Copperhead--in its bleak portrayal of destitute America.
Once it reminded me of Station Eleven -- in its theme of making art at (what feels like) pointless circumstances. I liked that part.
Ultimately, I wanted it to be more than it was, which is mostly due to my own expectations rather than any failure on the author's part. People who like quieter books, may get more out of this than I did.