lostinagoodread's review
2.0
This review was originally published on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I always love finding books that take place in Toronto, I find they are few and far between, and this one had a specific focus, that of the more well-off area of Rosedale and it's surroundings. While I found this book interesting, I had a few problems keeping my attention on what was happening. I'm a huge fan of books that deal with family and working through issues they have, but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book.
This book is centred around the idea of money (which I thought was actually really intriguing). Harry grew up in the privileged area of Rosedale (you know that part of Toronto with the huge houses.. .yeah I'd like to go there one day), he is used to having the money to spend on what he likes. Now he has grown up and has a family of his own, and his situation is completely different. Harry has gotten himself into loads of debt and is ultimately waiting for his father to pass to come into his inheritance so that he can pay it off and start a new life. When this happens, Harry finds that his father didn't have any money in the end either, and so begins a search for this lost inheritance.
The idea that readers are a fly on the wall of Harry's life was interesting, but those type of books are difficult for me to get into, every little thing is described in detail (which really gets a reader into the setting of a book, and was well done with this book). I will say that Gillmor's writing style kept me entertained and yet at the same time the story just fell a little flat, and a part of it was the descriptions because those are not my type of books.
The parts that kept me reading this book were the family interactions, and seeing how they would eventually deal with these money issues. I really felt for these characters at points because this is such a hard thing to go through, and so any more people are dealing with not being able to afford anything these days. The problem with them though was that they couldn't communicate with one another and instead continued to spend money that they didn't have.
Gillmor definitely took on a great topic in his book, making it relatable to many readers out there, and I can see many people enjoying what he has done with his story. There were some interesting twists as to what happened to the money, but in the end this book just couldn't keep my interest.
I always love finding books that take place in Toronto, I find they are few and far between, and this one had a specific focus, that of the more well-off area of Rosedale and it's surroundings. While I found this book interesting, I had a few problems keeping my attention on what was happening. I'm a huge fan of books that deal with family and working through issues they have, but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book.
This book is centred around the idea of money (which I thought was actually really intriguing). Harry grew up in the privileged area of Rosedale (you know that part of Toronto with the huge houses.. .yeah I'd like to go there one day), he is used to having the money to spend on what he likes. Now he has grown up and has a family of his own, and his situation is completely different. Harry has gotten himself into loads of debt and is ultimately waiting for his father to pass to come into his inheritance so that he can pay it off and start a new life. When this happens, Harry finds that his father didn't have any money in the end either, and so begins a search for this lost inheritance.
The idea that readers are a fly on the wall of Harry's life was interesting, but those type of books are difficult for me to get into, every little thing is described in detail (which really gets a reader into the setting of a book, and was well done with this book). I will say that Gillmor's writing style kept me entertained and yet at the same time the story just fell a little flat, and a part of it was the descriptions because those are not my type of books.
The parts that kept me reading this book were the family interactions, and seeing how they would eventually deal with these money issues. I really felt for these characters at points because this is such a hard thing to go through, and so any more people are dealing with not being able to afford anything these days. The problem with them though was that they couldn't communicate with one another and instead continued to spend money that they didn't have.
Gillmor definitely took on a great topic in his book, making it relatable to many readers out there, and I can see many people enjoying what he has done with his story. There were some interesting twists as to what happened to the money, but in the end this book just couldn't keep my interest.
lostinagoodread's review against another edition
2.0
This review was originally published on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I always love finding books that take place in Toronto, I find they are few and far between, and this one had a specific focus, that of the more well-off area of Rosedale and it's surroundings. While I found this book interesting, I had a few problems keeping my attention on what was happening. I'm a huge fan of books that deal with family and working through issues they have, but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book.
This book is centred around the idea of money (which I thought was actually really intriguing). Harry grew up in the privileged area of Rosedale (you know that part of Toronto with the huge houses.. .yeah I'd like to go there one day), he is used to having the money to spend on what he likes. Now he has grown up and has a family of his own, and his situation is completely different. Harry has gotten himself into loads of debt and is ultimately waiting for his father to pass to come into his inheritance so that he can pay it off and start a new life. When this happens, Harry finds that his father didn't have any money in the end either, and so begins a search for this lost inheritance.
The idea that readers are a fly on the wall of Harry's life was interesting, but those type of books are difficult for me to get into, every little thing is described in detail (which really gets a reader into the setting of a book, and was well done with this book). I will say that Gillmor's writing style kept me entertained and yet at the same time the story just fell a little flat, and a part of it was the descriptions because those are not my type of books.
The parts that kept me reading this book were the family interactions, and seeing how they would eventually deal with these money issues. I really felt for these characters at points because this is such a hard thing to go through, and so any more people are dealing with not being able to afford anything these days. The problem with them though was that they couldn't communicate with one another and instead continued to spend money that they didn't have.
Gillmor definitely took on a great topic in his book, making it relatable to many readers out there, and I can see many people enjoying what he has done with his story. There were some interesting twists as to what happened to the money, but in the end this book just couldn't keep my interest.
I always love finding books that take place in Toronto, I find they are few and far between, and this one had a specific focus, that of the more well-off area of Rosedale and it's surroundings. While I found this book interesting, I had a few problems keeping my attention on what was happening. I'm a huge fan of books that deal with family and working through issues they have, but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book.
This book is centred around the idea of money (which I thought was actually really intriguing). Harry grew up in the privileged area of Rosedale (you know that part of Toronto with the huge houses.. .yeah I'd like to go there one day), he is used to having the money to spend on what he likes. Now he has grown up and has a family of his own, and his situation is completely different. Harry has gotten himself into loads of debt and is ultimately waiting for his father to pass to come into his inheritance so that he can pay it off and start a new life. When this happens, Harry finds that his father didn't have any money in the end either, and so begins a search for this lost inheritance.
The idea that readers are a fly on the wall of Harry's life was interesting, but those type of books are difficult for me to get into, every little thing is described in detail (which really gets a reader into the setting of a book, and was well done with this book). I will say that Gillmor's writing style kept me entertained and yet at the same time the story just fell a little flat, and a part of it was the descriptions because those are not my type of books.
The parts that kept me reading this book were the family interactions, and seeing how they would eventually deal with these money issues. I really felt for these characters at points because this is such a hard thing to go through, and so any more people are dealing with not being able to afford anything these days. The problem with them though was that they couldn't communicate with one another and instead continued to spend money that they didn't have.
Gillmor definitely took on a great topic in his book, making it relatable to many readers out there, and I can see many people enjoying what he has done with his story. There were some interesting twists as to what happened to the money, but in the end this book just couldn't keep my interest.
vpjto's review against another edition
5.0
An accurate and unsettling portrait of upper-middle-class WASP life in modern day Toronto. Disarmingly funny and whip smart. My favorite book so far this year.
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This novel centers around the middle-aged Harry Salter, a non-tenured university professor with a mountain of debt. Harry has been expecting to inherit from his wealthy father, but when his father dies most of the money is gone and Harry gets only $4200. Harry is desperate enough that he can't accept this, and he tries to figure out what happened to the money.
Besides this more revelations await Harry and he begins to realize how disengaged his life is, that his marriage is in trouble and he barely talks to his son. He connects his own situation and his family history with his class at university. This is a story about money and debt and the place we give them in our lives. A story of expectations and entitlement, and the scheming that goes on behind the scenes.
Besides this more revelations await Harry and he begins to realize how disengaged his life is, that his marriage is in trouble and he barely talks to his son. He connects his own situation and his family history with his class at university. This is a story about money and debt and the place we give them in our lives. A story of expectations and entitlement, and the scheming that goes on behind the scenes.
anndouglas's review
4.0
An engaging and thought-provoking novel about money, debt, and relationships. I liked the fact that the main character is a political science professor (a great way to wind historical perspectives on class into the narrative, from the Family Compact to the Occupy Movement) and that the novel is set in Toronto (simply because I was familiar with so much of the novel's physical landscape). Highly recommended.
jooniperd's review
4.0
Mount Pleasant is a grand old cemetery, occupying prime real estate in the city of Toronto. It's a beautiful place and every time I walk through it, I am intrigued by the lives and stories that have ended there.
I enjoyed this book a lot. my one quibble: the ending wasn't very strong for me - it all seemed too tidy and convenient, which was a shame after all the energy, angst and intrigue Gillmor built up in the earlier chapters. I appreciated reading a novel about money -- having it, not having it, panicked over the lack of it...people (in the real world) are in a mess, i think, with their personal finances, and only one paycheque away from disaster. Gillmor also well captures the nuances of marriage and family. At times Mount Pleasant can seem like a straightforward read...but the characters and the story are actually quite layered.
I enjoyed this book a lot. my one quibble: the ending wasn't very strong for me - it all seemed too tidy and convenient, which was a shame after all the energy, angst and intrigue Gillmor built up in the earlier chapters. I appreciated reading a novel about money -- having it, not having it, panicked over the lack of it...people (in the real world) are in a mess, i think, with their personal finances, and only one paycheque away from disaster. Gillmor also well captures the nuances of marriage and family. At times Mount Pleasant can seem like a straightforward read...but the characters and the story are actually quite layered.
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