falconerreader's review against another edition
4.0
I was probably swayed by the narrator being a teacher in the Pacific NW. And that it made me laugh aloud. The appendices were a bit odd--I would have woven them into the book earlier, as one might really list one's class or throw in a page of notes about water into the middle of one's journal. Having virtually no connection with the military, it was also interesting to hear the perspective of someone who really, truly, honestly, supports the soldiers but not the war.
sarahknowsthestory's review against another edition
5.0
I really, really enjoyed this book. To describe it as charming would be an understatement. But it's not all sweetness and light - it's dramatic and full of pathos too. Recommended.
erinladybug's review against another edition
1.0
I tried, I really tried, because it seemed like such a cute story. I just could not get into it, and abandoned the book very quickly. Her use of footnotes on every other page, thoroughly turned me off. I want my books to flow without interruption, and her footnotes were a huge interruption. I have children, and am interrupted enough around here. I do not need a book to do it for me.
mycouscous's review against another edition
4.0
It's rare that I find a voice in a novel that matches those of my friends and myself. Miss Annie Harper, as a narrator and wannabe memoirist, is irreverant, sarcastic, and at times befuddled by the orderly chaos of her life. If I lived her in fictional Tacoma world, I would probably try to be her friend. Her account of life in the US while her boyfriend is deployed in Iraq comes across as an authentic depiction of the non-flag waving faction of the homefront. She has her faults and confused moments, which only helped her to become more real for me.
My only minor problem with this semi-light and humorous read was the character Gus, Miss Harper's best friend. He appeared as valiant and noble as Mr. Willoughby initially does in the Emma Thompson movie version of Sense and Sensibility: I kept expecting him to pull out his own minature version of Shakespeare's sonnets and then run off to marry a rich, snobby girl.
Miss Harper Can Do It is not a groundbreaking literary piece, but rather an enjoyable, alternative look at those left behind when people are shipped off to war. The mundane, the kooky, and the relationships all make this a satisfying, somewhat girly read.
My only minor problem with this semi-light and humorous read was the character Gus, Miss Harper's best friend. He appeared as valiant and noble as Mr. Willoughby initially does in the Emma Thompson movie version of Sense and Sensibility: I kept expecting him to pull out his own minature version of Shakespeare's sonnets and then run off to marry a rich, snobby girl.
Miss Harper Can Do It is not a groundbreaking literary piece, but rather an enjoyable, alternative look at those left behind when people are shipped off to war. The mundane, the kooky, and the relationships all make this a satisfying, somewhat girly read.
bdietrich's review
3.0
I appreciated the wittiness and verisimilitude of narrator Annie's writing. As a teacher and someone who hangs out almost exclusively with 10th graders and people aged 60+, I enjoyed the young adult verisimilitude as well. I desperately miss friends who are my age, so this book was a good escape from people who cringe at the words "crap" and "sucks".
As far as the story, when I read it, I enjoyed it, but I had a hard time just convincing myself to pick it up and read it. I may just be in a reading-slump. However, how Gus and Annie finally get together is just regularly beautiful -no fancy restaurant, no long harangues, no sparkling diamonds- just mushroom shish-kabobs and a Mr. Rogers re-run. When someone confesses their love to me, I want it to be done in the same manner.
As far as the story, when I read it, I enjoyed it, but I had a hard time just convincing myself to pick it up and read it. I may just be in a reading-slump. However, how Gus and Annie finally get together is just regularly beautiful -no fancy restaurant, no long harangues, no sparkling diamonds- just mushroom shish-kabobs and a Mr. Rogers re-run. When someone confesses their love to me, I want it to be done in the same manner.
falconerreader's review
4.0
I was probably swayed by the narrator being a teacher in the Pacific NW. And that it made me laugh aloud. The appendices were a bit odd--I would have woven them into the book earlier, as one might really list one's class or throw in a page of notes about water into the middle of one's journal. Having virtually no connection with the military, it was also interesting to hear the perspective of someone who really, truly, honestly, supports the soldiers but not the war.
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