an0987 's review for:

The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright
3.5
reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a strange book that feels very ‘literary’ in its vibe, with a stream of consciousness writing style, heavy emphasis on poetry and a focus on generational trauma. 

I personally did not enjoy reading this book very much. On the whole, the author’s voice felt impactful and she writes beautifully. However, I found myself bored about half way through. By about two thirds of the book I felt that Enright had already said everything she wanted to say on the topic and the final third of the book felt pointless. 

I appreciate the attempt at covering such an intimate and important topic but I think the execution fell a little flat. Perhaps I had my expectations set too high because of this book’s (and Enright’s) successes on the literary prize circuit. 

This is a quiet, contemplative book (albeit with some graphic scenes of violence) that I think will be most appreciated by people who enjoy lyrical prose and mother-daughter stories. I am generally a reader of lit fic but this book didn’t feel particularly engaging or insightful. If you’re interested in books regarding generational trauma, I would instead recommend Hungry Ghosts by Jared Hossein.