aaronb's review against another edition
5.0
Favourite book I’ve read this year so far. Wish I could give it 6 stars.
throwmeabook's review against another edition
2.0
Beautifully written, quiet and melancholic glimpse into the journey of 40 year old Aaron Englund from childhood to adulthood, his search for freedom, identity and belonging. Unfortunately, too much hopelessness and oppressive sadness to make me like it enough to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
iphigenie72's review against another edition
5.0
There is so many ways to discover a book you've never heard of before. This one came to my attention from a review by Off the Shelf what a great review if was, http://offtheshelf.com/2017/04/after-the-parade-by-lori-ostlund/, it completely convinced me that I needed to read this book... next.
The story is about Aaron: we meet him in the present where he completely changes his life moving from Albuquerque to San Francisco, leaving his partner of more than 20 years; but we also get to meet Aaron at different ages and see what forged him and made him who he is. I liked how sometimes the older Aaron understandings of events made them more rounded even though the younger Aaron did not get all the nuances of what he was living; the hindsight doesn't happen often, but when it does, it always make sense.
There is in this book so many fascinating characters, complex and satisfying. What a wonderful read, I wouldn't have minded if it had been longer though it is probably perfect length.
The story is about Aaron: we meet him in the present where he completely changes his life moving from Albuquerque to San Francisco, leaving his partner of more than 20 years; but we also get to meet Aaron at different ages and see what forged him and made him who he is. I liked how sometimes the older Aaron understandings of events made them more rounded even though the younger Aaron did not get all the nuances of what he was living; the hindsight doesn't happen often, but when it does, it always make sense.
There is in this book so many fascinating characters, complex and satisfying. What a wonderful read, I wouldn't have minded if it had been longer though it is probably perfect length.
jennyrbaker's review against another edition
4.0
I'm surprised that this is a debut novel. She writes like a veteran. This is beautifully written with characters you get to know on an intimate level. The protagonist's loneliness is very relatable. I love her storytelling, which is told in a series of flashbacks, but they're written in a very seamless fashion. I can see this becoming a book club selection. I highly recommend this book!
cootarooski's review against another edition
5.0
I've already thought of at least five people to whom I will recommend this book, and I know the characters will stay with me for a very long time. Oslund's insight into so many different things -- an anxious child's mind, small town America, depression, abuse, hope, self-defeat, the incredible power of friendship, of love, of compassion -- amazed me from the beginning of this book to the very sad moment when I read its last word.
princesspearl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
really enjoyed this as i read it but ultimately found it forgettable
leeahsmestad's review against another edition
5.0
"You can't make other people happy. It's silly to try."
"Why is it silly?"
"Because it is. And because it will just make you feel like a failure."
"Why is it silly?"
"Because it is. And because it will just make you feel like a failure."
kscandone28's review against another edition
4.0
What a delightfully fresh read this was! I started reading this novel with a much different idea of how it would progress, what it would contain. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to find out my initial concepts were way off. This novel delves into the main character's past and how he got to where he is today, how he came to be the man he is now. While that's truly the simplest way to summarize the plot, this novel's storyline was full of meaty memories and revelations, and the resolution at the end wasn't cliche when it very well could've been.
The multitude of players in this novel all had interesting back stories and added richness to Aaron's past. Even the lives of his students, though mostly shortly summarized, made those side characters come to life. Ostlund clearly put a lot of time and energy into developing the characters and storyline, and weaved it all together beautifully. After the Parade was a wonderfully satisfying read, one I plan to revisit , and a book I would recommend to fellow readers.
***I received this book for free as a winner of a "Goodreads First Read" giveaway***
The multitude of players in this novel all had interesting back stories and added richness to Aaron's past. Even the lives of his students, though mostly shortly summarized, made those side characters come to life. Ostlund clearly put a lot of time and energy into developing the characters and storyline, and weaved it all together beautifully. After the Parade was a wonderfully satisfying read, one I plan to revisit , and a book I would recommend to fellow readers.
***I received this book for free as a winner of a "Goodreads First Read" giveaway***
catrionabikes's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Heartbreakingly funny. There's a lot of insight and empathy in this tale. Sometimes I found the flashback, flashforward structure annoying, but it works for the personal journey that Aaron is on.
Heartbreakingly funny. There's a lot of insight and empathy in this tale. Sometimes I found the flashback, flashforward structure annoying, but it works for the personal journey that Aaron is on.