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susannepari's reviews
589 reviews
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Gone So Long by Andre Dubus III
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. by Lee Kravetz
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
I was delightfully reeled in and spun around by this artfully-told story that combines mystery, psychological depth, and social history. But what I loved most about THE LAST CONFESSIONS OF SYLVIA P. was its perspective on the ultra-sensitive—people who 'feel too much'—and how they can use art (in this case poetry) as a means of channeling and alleviating the inner anguish that springs from that personality trait.
Much of the story takes place at a time when depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were defined and treated in ways we would now consider dispassionate, counterproductive, or downright cruel. Kravetz employs real, imagined, and composite characters to highlight and explore this mid-century time and I couldn’t help but compare it with the welcome disruptions in the field occurring now. Kravetz's depiction of the psychiatrist Ruth Barnhouse, who fought entrenched doctors and institutions to bring new humane treatments and therapies to patients, fits so well next to the story of the confessional poets as they strive to be taken seriously and to live less constrained lives.
The fact that Kravetz's main characters are all women was an added plus for me, especially since they're often in opposition to backward-thinking male characters. It shows an inherent respect for women that isn't often genuinely expressed by male authors. And he 'gets' the voice and tone of these women quite well.
I highly recommend this novel as a book group pick. Chances are, readers will sail through it on the merits of the story's mystery and its depiction of complex relationships between multi-generational characters. But beyond that, there are some important discussion topics here—work/life balance, artistic rivalry, motherhood, friendship, the creative process, the value of art, and redemption.
Much of the story takes place at a time when depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were defined and treated in ways we would now consider dispassionate, counterproductive, or downright cruel. Kravetz employs real, imagined, and composite characters to highlight and explore this mid-century time and I couldn’t help but compare it with the welcome disruptions in the field occurring now. Kravetz's depiction of the psychiatrist Ruth Barnhouse, who fought entrenched doctors and institutions to bring new humane treatments and therapies to patients, fits so well next to the story of the confessional poets as they strive to be taken seriously and to live less constrained lives.
The fact that Kravetz's main characters are all women was an added plus for me, especially since they're often in opposition to backward-thinking male characters. It shows an inherent respect for women that isn't often genuinely expressed by male authors. And he 'gets' the voice and tone of these women quite well.
I highly recommend this novel as a book group pick. Chances are, readers will sail through it on the merits of the story's mystery and its depiction of complex relationships between multi-generational characters. But beyond that, there are some important discussion topics here—work/life balance, artistic rivalry, motherhood, friendship, the creative process, the value of art, and redemption.