Scan barcode
A review by rfwads
When All Is Said by Anne Griffin
reflective
sad
1.0
What I liked about When All Is Said:
I appreciated the concept of the main character looking back on his life and offering toasts to five important people who affected his life. It seemed like an interesting way to explore his life and the lessons he learned from these individuals.
What I disliked about When All Is Said:
I strongly disliked the main character, Maurice Hannigan. I found him to be self-centered, obnoxious, and rude, which made him quite unappealing. Additionally, the book also failed to capture my interest. The storyline felt basic, and the characters lacked depth. The writing didn't draw me in from the beginning, which made it hard to stay engaged. The ending was also disappointing, leaving me unsatisfied. The book seemed to glorify Maurice taking his own life without considering the impact on those he would leave behind, which felt out of character given his earlier regret and mourning for his brother and stillborn daughter. Overall, the ending was terrible and drove home a poor message.
What I think would have made When All Is Said better:
To be honest, I'm not sure if there's anything that could have made When All Is Said better for me. I found the book boring, and I really didn't like the main character, Maurice. My biggest problem with the book was the ending and how Anne Griffin seemed to glorify Maurice's decision to commit suicide. If I could change something about the book, I would have liked to see Maurice undergo a positive change after reflecting on his life and the mistakes and heartbreaks he's experienced. I wish the book had taken a more uplifting direction in that regard.
Would I recommend When All Is Said by Anne Griffin:
I'm aware that I'm in the minority, but I truly disliked this book. It reminded me of a Mitch Albom novel that lacked likable characters or a positive, uplifting plot. The book was a huge disappointment, especially considering its many positive reviews. Overall, I wouldn't recommend When All Is Said.
****
Maurice Hannigan reflects on his life by toasting five people who were vital to him while sitting at the bar at the Rainford House Hotel. Each drink represents someone significant: his deceased brother, troubled sister-in-law, short-lived daughter, distant son, and late wife. Through these toasts, Maurice tells the story of his life, revealing his regrets, loves, and triumphs, and discovering truths about himself along the way.
I appreciated the concept of the main character looking back on his life and offering toasts to five important people who affected his life. It seemed like an interesting way to explore his life and the lessons he learned from these individuals.
What I disliked about When All Is Said:
I strongly disliked the main character, Maurice Hannigan. I found him to be self-centered, obnoxious, and rude, which made him quite unappealing. Additionally, the book also failed to capture my interest. The storyline felt basic, and the characters lacked depth. The writing didn't draw me in from the beginning, which made it hard to stay engaged. The ending was also disappointing, leaving me unsatisfied. The book seemed to glorify Maurice taking his own life without considering the impact on those he would leave behind, which felt out of character given his earlier regret and mourning for his brother and stillborn daughter. Overall, the ending was terrible and drove home a poor message.
What I think would have made When All Is Said better:
To be honest, I'm not sure if there's anything that could have made When All Is Said better for me. I found the book boring, and I really didn't like the main character, Maurice. My biggest problem with the book was the ending and how Anne Griffin seemed to glorify Maurice's decision to commit suicide. If I could change something about the book, I would have liked to see Maurice undergo a positive change after reflecting on his life and the mistakes and heartbreaks he's experienced. I wish the book had taken a more uplifting direction in that regard.
Would I recommend When All Is Said by Anne Griffin:
I'm aware that I'm in the minority, but I truly disliked this book. It reminded me of a Mitch Albom novel that lacked likable characters or a positive, uplifting plot. The book was a huge disappointment, especially considering its many positive reviews. Overall, I wouldn't recommend When All Is Said.
****
Maurice Hannigan reflects on his life by toasting five people who were vital to him while sitting at the bar at the Rainford House Hotel. Each drink represents someone significant: his deceased brother, troubled sister-in-law, short-lived daughter, distant son, and late wife. Through these toasts, Maurice tells the story of his life, revealing his regrets, loves, and triumphs, and discovering truths about himself along the way.