Reviews

The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien

Only show reviews with written explanations

innergrace's review

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

2023 - 52 Weeks of Short Novels, A Buddy Read

From the book: A Year of Reading - Briefly Great Short Books by Kenneth C. Davis

Week #11

“If the author’s parish priest burns a book and politicians condemn it, pay attention: it is probably worth reading.”

This was a good story. I can see how it got in trouble for the time it was published but it was more than tame considering our times. I’ve never read a “coming of age”, boy or girl, until I started this short novel challenge this year. So far this is one of the best short novels of the collection and I may read the other two to finish the trilogy to see how Caite and Baba end up. Fully ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

ginsburd's review

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

devirnis's review

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fast-paced

3.25

caroparr's review

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5.0

All told in a great rush of feeling and observation, as two innocents (one more so than the other) navigate growing up and leaving the countryside for the joys of the big city. This would be wonderful to listen to.

stephanie769's review

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4.0

historical coming-of-age centered around a complicated pair of best friends is really my shit. i was reminded so much of Elena Ferrante reading Edna O’Brien, not only for the similar subject matter, plot, and themes, but the beautifully straight-forward, conversational prose. i look forward to continuing the trilogy!