A review by lillianglippold
Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan

funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

so stellar and so memorable and really great for the moment i’m in right now re: obsession w americana and thinking a lot about character and pace. 

i think the weaknesses of this book were like from the 70-95% mark. otherwise, the prose and the story were so beautiful and stark and brilliant. 

i’m not sure how much i love this linked flash fiction style as a way of telling a story. like in some ways it worked but i really think that’s just because of the specific language of the subject matter? like a normal book about family would not hit in this form. which is a testament to scanlan, right, like her ability to choose this form for this thing. it’s innovative and it feels fresh. 

this was wonderful and i think everyone should read it. very sad it didn’t make my favorites shelf by the slimmest of margins.