Reviews

Little Sister by Barbara Gowdy

mary_jo's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

balletbookworm's review against another edition

3.0

Little Sister is one of those books that has such a good premise and idea behind the characters but then gets really underserved by the construction. It takes so long to get to WHY Rose becomes so obsessed with Harriet and how the two of them might be connected (or not) that I was having trouble staying with the story. It should not have taken me this long to read. Fiona was a great character.

(Thanks to Tin House Galley Club for the ARC)

poutineriot's review against another edition

1.0

Wildly bland, in the way that only pot boiler mysteries, romances, and supernatural thrillers can be. I didn't care about any of the characters, and the plot line was far too convoluted and ridiculous to carry the simple themes of loss and connection the author slipped in. So, if you're into that sort of thing, have at it, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not quite sure why I walked out of the bookstore with this the other day, honestly.

Does that sound bitchy? Yeah... I guess. Sorry.

bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition

5.0

What a gem of a book. I'd never read anything by Barbara Gowdy before, and had no idea what to expect. This was completely intriguing and I want more.

moogen's review against another edition

2.0

I came across this novel via the New York Times Book Review so I was expecting more than a beach read. Once I revised my expectations, I still found this book underwhelming with uninspiring characters and an ending that was rushed and unsatisfying.

oliviagundler's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

2.25

brogan7's review against another edition

I'm reading too many things.  Will try it again

bellwetherdays's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

rose421's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? No

4.0

ljjohnson8's review against another edition

2.0

I very much enjoyed another Gowdy (Helpless - 5 stars) so I was excited by the prospect of her latest. But I was disappointed by this slow-moving but well-written novel, that had too many go-nowhere features (Marsh) and an oddly cold and bland feel to it. I feel like I understood Gowdy's themes and points, but I guess she just didn't make me care. However, she has a lot of other titles; I loved Helpless; and even this novel was written with distinctive care and style, so I will try another.