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heathen's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm not sure if I'll give the most unbiased review on this book. I grew up in the same region as the author, and it's a region he writes about at length in this book. He definitely nails how life is in western Kentucky, and the simultaneous love and revulsion its residents can have for the area.
The novel itself felt somewhat slow to me. The main character was relatable if not particularly likeable at times. The struggle to feel care and love towards family members whose political alignments are diametrically opposed was familiar to me.
Overall, I would recommend this. I love reading how other people from my neck of the woods write about a place I know intimately. I'm generally rooting for anyone from Kentucky to succeed. I would probably also let people know that the story is slow going and not terribly eventful.
The novel itself felt somewhat slow to me. The main character was relatable if not particularly likeable at times. The struggle to feel care and love towards family members whose political alignments are diametrically opposed was familiar to me.
Overall, I would recommend this. I love reading how other people from my neck of the woods write about a place I know intimately. I'm generally rooting for anyone from Kentucky to succeed. I would probably also let people know that the story is slow going and not terribly eventful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Drug use
Minor: Xenophobia
bostonki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
lcg527's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, and Racism
cassidy's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I paused on this book a quarter of the way through I’m not sure why but I’m really glad I picked it back up. There’s definitely an inceptionesq vibe of the book where you feel like you are reading the protagonists book that he later wrote reflecting on this time. I found Alma to be incredibly judgmental and unaccepting of Owen’s background/family which was incredibly frustrating but also made me wonder would I really be any better? Anyways, I grew attached to the writing and the sentimental feeling of the book and I really liked the language that Owen used.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
mjscooke's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the first sentence of Groundskeeping I was hooked on the lyrical language Lee Cole uses to convey the thoughts and observations of the protagonist Owen. The novel is a first person perspective lament exploring love, loss, family, ambition and comfort set predominantly at a University in Kentucky where Owen works on the grounds in order to take a class and Alma is perusing a writer in residence program. Kentucky is as much a character as they are and Cole writes beautiful observations of the surroundings while the story meanders through various meta conversations about art and life. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a love of language, and critical thinking, who enjoys calm slow novels. It is a passage of time novel that examines the minutia of the everyday and the people Owen chooses to prioritize within that time. All in all I enjoyed reading it mostly to wind down in the evenings.
From the first sentence of Groundskeeping I was hooked on the lyrical language Lee Cole uses to convey the thoughts and observations of the protagonist Owen. The novel is a first person perspective lament exploring love, loss, family, ambition and comfort set predominantly at a University in Kentucky where Owen works on the grounds in order to take a class and Alma is perusing a writer in residence program. Kentucky is as much a character as they are and Cole writes beautiful observations of the surroundings while the story meanders through various meta conversations about art and life. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a love of language, and critical thinking, who enjoys calm slow novels. It is a passage of time novel that examines the minutia of the everyday and the people Owen chooses to prioritize within that time. All in all I enjoyed reading it mostly to wind down in the evenings.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Racism, Self harm, Alcohol, War, and Classism
bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Religious bigotry