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lizziereads_'s review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexism
booksandbosox's review
3.0
I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program.
A tragedy has struck the Bradley family and it's affecting each member in different ways. Father Ian, a bishop in the Mormon church, relies on his faith to keep him afloat, while his wife takes to bed, nearly ceasing to exist. Their children grapple with what the tragedy will mean in their life, as well as how it effects their feelings towards their faith.
This book wasn't quite what I expected. I really enjoyed the variety of perspectives that Bray gives us, though some of them are truly heartbreaking (I practically cringed every time I read David's POV). The book moves at a nice pace, even though it's more of a character study of the family than a plot-driven novel. In fact, not much happens - this is really the story of a family trying to figure out how to live their lives in the face of an unexpected and perhaps preventable tragedy. Having lost a member of my immediate family, I'm always interested in portrayals of grief and I think Bray does well here, showcasing a variety of responses and experiences that all feel realistic. I admit, I was a bit let-down by the ending - it just didn't seem to pull things together quite like I hoped.
A tragedy has struck the Bradley family and it's affecting each member in different ways. Father Ian, a bishop in the Mormon church, relies on his faith to keep him afloat, while his wife takes to bed, nearly ceasing to exist. Their children grapple with what the tragedy will mean in their life, as well as how it effects their feelings towards their faith.
This book wasn't quite what I expected. I really enjoyed the variety of perspectives that Bray gives us, though some of them are truly heartbreaking (I practically cringed every time I read David's POV). The book moves at a nice pace, even though it's more of a character study of the family than a plot-driven novel. In fact, not much happens - this is really the story of a family trying to figure out how to live their lives in the face of an unexpected and perhaps preventable tragedy. Having lost a member of my immediate family, I'm always interested in portrayals of grief and I think Bray does well here, showcasing a variety of responses and experiences that all feel realistic. I admit, I was a bit let-down by the ending - it just didn't seem to pull things together quite like I hoped.
literarymarvel's review
4.0
A Song for Issy Bradley is an emotionally charged novel about a Mormon family in England coping with the aftermath of tragedy.
Bray writes honestly and boldly, describing a sect of religion that is little covered in general fiction and whose culture most know next to nothing about. Having lived in Utah for 8 years, I was profoundly moved by Bray's portrayal of a family dealing with the struggles between faith and tragedy as they attempt to stay true to their culture yet question everything in the face of a life changing event.
Each member of the Bradley family is lovingly brought to life with beautiful and genuine definition, separately combating their own internal grief which they are reluctant to share with each other.
Bray's efforts to distinguish the Mormon culture and illustrate its positives and negatives make this novel truly unique. Her transparent representation of her characters is expressive and inspiring for nonbelievers and the devout alike.
Bray writes honestly and boldly, describing a sect of religion that is little covered in general fiction and whose culture most know next to nothing about. Having lived in Utah for 8 years, I was profoundly moved by Bray's portrayal of a family dealing with the struggles between faith and tragedy as they attempt to stay true to their culture yet question everything in the face of a life changing event.
Each member of the Bradley family is lovingly brought to life with beautiful and genuine definition, separately combating their own internal grief which they are reluctant to share with each other.
Bray's efforts to distinguish the Mormon culture and illustrate its positives and negatives make this novel truly unique. Her transparent representation of her characters is expressive and inspiring for nonbelievers and the devout alike.
anunande's review
Carys has a beautiful style of writing that I can only aspire to, and a beautiful, sensitive mind behind it that makes for a deep, layered narrative, characters that are real, fragile, flawed, and a story that is emotional and heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Through multiple points of view with unique voices, Carys delicately takes us through the aftermath of a tragedy and its impact on a family of 4 children. Having no prior knowledge of the Mormon faith, its centrality to this narrative was educational and interesting without being overbearing. Now I can't wait to read The Museum of You 😊
sarahkomas's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
picked up on a whim, interesting look at mormonism in the UK
timshel's review
4.0
A Song for Issy Bradley is a truly remarkable book. The characters are engaging. The story is tender and compelling. This is one of those books that is difficult to put down. As far as content and scope, it reminds me considerably of Oates’ We Were the Mulvaneys; there is that same sense of tragedy thrown at an unsuspecting family. As far as tone, ...Issy Bradley reminds me of Tell the Wolves I’m Home; there is a similar mix of joy and sorrow, hope and loss, naivety and strength. This novel is surprisingly funny at times, and even more surprisingly eloquent when it seems the writer may be bordering Hallmark-style fluff. Readers of moving family dramas will likely enjoy this one.
The tragedy that strikes the Bradley family is devastating. The way each of the characters copes with the tragedy and each of the following events is a large part of what makes this book so compelling. The fact that the Bradleys are a Mormon family is one of the novel’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. On a positive side, it makes for some wonderful drama; each of the characters is pulled into a battle with the community, the church, the family, and with themselves. This drama has the potential to raise questions for the reader as it does for the characters. On the other side, it is clear that the author has a bone to pick with the LDS church. It is clear early on that she has set out to embarrass the church and its beliefs as much as possible without blatantly declaring war. I think Bray does an admirable job at times of restraining her attacks, but there are other times when her influence is perhaps too present in the narrative. I’m all for testing institutions of all kinds, but I think the key is subtlety. Bray could have posed the same questions without seeming insensitive. That being said, anyone of Mormon faith who is not open to debate and the exploration of so-called flaws in their religion will not want to read this book; there is no doubt in my mind you will hate it.
A Song for Issy Bradley is another one of those sad family dramas that many of us love. But even for those who hate the genre there is much to enjoy: the structure, the characters, the passion. It is full of emotion, but some of that emotion may seem manipulative, especially in regards to the church. And it is because of this reason especially that not everyone will love this otherwise wonderful novel.
The tragedy that strikes the Bradley family is devastating. The way each of the characters copes with the tragedy and each of the following events is a large part of what makes this book so compelling. The fact that the Bradleys are a Mormon family is one of the novel’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. On a positive side, it makes for some wonderful drama; each of the characters is pulled into a battle with the community, the church, the family, and with themselves. This drama has the potential to raise questions for the reader as it does for the characters. On the other side, it is clear that the author has a bone to pick with the LDS church. It is clear early on that she has set out to embarrass the church and its beliefs as much as possible without blatantly declaring war. I think Bray does an admirable job at times of restraining her attacks, but there are other times when her influence is perhaps too present in the narrative. I’m all for testing institutions of all kinds, but I think the key is subtlety. Bray could have posed the same questions without seeming insensitive. That being said, anyone of Mormon faith who is not open to debate and the exploration of so-called flaws in their religion will not want to read this book; there is no doubt in my mind you will hate it.
A Song for Issy Bradley is another one of those sad family dramas that many of us love. But even for those who hate the genre there is much to enjoy: the structure, the characters, the passion. It is full of emotion, but some of that emotion may seem manipulative, especially in regards to the church. And it is because of this reason especially that not everyone will love this otherwise wonderful novel.
Received from the publisher through Goodreads' First Reads program in exchange for review.