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kellylhaslam 's review for:
Shotgun Lovesongs
by Nickolas Butler
I thought this was a great read. There are well-developed and interesting characters as well as a provocative interplay between them. I liked how each chapter was told from the point of view of a different character and how little pieces of their histories were gradually revealed as you went along. As you read, you grew to understand in a very natural way more and more of the larger fabric of their lives and friendships.
I didn't necessarily like the big incident at the end of the book. I found it very odd, and frankly, kind of stupid. But I understand that the characters involved were at a weird place themselves and something out of the ordinary was maybe the only way to get them out of their funk. Nevertheless, it seemed a little out of place to me and a bit misaligned with the tenor of the book as a whole. However, the rest of the book was very well done. I always wanted to keep reading as I wondered if things might turn out differently with the couples; but I love how they each of those relationships were handled and narratively justified.
But perhaps the star of the book and my favorite aspect in Butler's novel is his pitch perfect description of place. He captures so well the spirit of Wisconsin and the meaning of home. As someone born and raised in Wisconsin, I was proud to be from and living in this state as I read his novel. His writing helped remind me of the the wonderful attributes and quirks of a small town and of our state in general. He helped bring forward the little details of home and life that we can take for granted, but that are so beautifully meaningful in ways we don't necessarily realize. That was a special gift with this read.
I didn't necessarily like the big incident at the end of the book. I found it very odd, and frankly, kind of stupid. But I understand that the characters involved were at a weird place themselves and something out of the ordinary was maybe the only way to get them out of their funk. Nevertheless, it seemed a little out of place to me and a bit misaligned with the tenor of the book as a whole. However, the rest of the book was very well done. I always wanted to keep reading as I wondered if things might turn out differently with the couples; but I love how they each of those relationships were handled and narratively justified.
But perhaps the star of the book and my favorite aspect in Butler's novel is his pitch perfect description of place. He captures so well the spirit of Wisconsin and the meaning of home. As someone born and raised in Wisconsin, I was proud to be from and living in this state as I read his novel. His writing helped remind me of the the wonderful attributes and quirks of a small town and of our state in general. He helped bring forward the little details of home and life that we can take for granted, but that are so beautifully meaningful in ways we don't necessarily realize. That was a special gift with this read.