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A review by cestgelaine
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
I decided not to rate this book because I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. It's a hefty novel (1030 pages) centered around an Ohio housewife. Her stream of consciousness is about her family, the environment, gun violence, baking, Old Hollywood pop culture, literature, Ohio history, Trump, politics, news headlines etc. I usually like contemporary fiction so I enjoyed reading some parts of this novel. The parallels made between the lioness and her cubs and the narrator and her children were a good way to keep the themes consistent but with slight contrasts in writing.
This book requires a lot of patience because it's not written like most novels. There's no main plot to follow. Instead, short happenings are added like vignettes throughout. It took me 7 months to finish this book. I had to take long breaks in between because again, it's not written like any novels I've read before, so it took me awhile to get used to the writing. I do wish it was shorter. While reading some parts, I found myself getting lost in the book but not in a good way. Reading "the fact that" many times with little to no pauses almost felt hypnotizing. I think more people will feel less hesitant or intimated by this book if it was shorter. However, I do think the author made a unique and experimental novel with timely and relatable thoughts—it's just not for everyone.
For what it's worth, the ending seemed to tie everything together. I felt relieved and satisfied after finally conquering this novel. I think some parts will stick to me while others will be forgotten. I recommend this to those who want to feel challenged by a book and have the patience and time to do so. I sure did given the pandemic.
This book requires a lot of patience because it's not written like most novels. There's no main plot to follow. Instead, short happenings are added like vignettes throughout. It took me 7 months to finish this book. I had to take long breaks in between because again, it's not written like any novels I've read before, so it took me awhile to get used to the writing. I do wish it was shorter. While reading some parts, I found myself getting lost in the book but not in a good way. Reading "the fact that" many times with little to no pauses almost felt hypnotizing. I think more people will feel less hesitant or intimated by this book if it was shorter. However, I do think the author made a unique and experimental novel with timely and relatable thoughts—it's just not for everyone.
For what it's worth, the ending seemed to tie everything together. I felt relieved and satisfied after finally conquering this novel. I think some parts will stick to me while others will be forgotten. I recommend this to those who want to feel challenged by a book and have the patience and time to do so. I sure did given the pandemic.