txkikind's review
3.0
It was fine. I liked some of the descriptive prose. My favorite character was old lady Ruth from the bakery. If you like books about rich people who have problems that aren't really problems in the grand scheme of things, you'll like this book.
iamleahmarie's review
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lola425's review
3.0
Nicely paced and well-written but I could not muster one ounce of care for any of the characters.
neonfuzz's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
huncamuncamouse's review
3.0
Really started to drag near the end. I waffled between a 4 and a 3 star rating. In truth, this is a perfect example of a 3.5 read. I really think the author is talented, though, and I'd like to read more of her work. This book was ambitious, but at times it was just too crammed. I truly did not care at all about the Edgar/Glory storyline and felt that was the novel's major weakness for how under-developed it was.
pharmdad2007's review
2.0
Some interesting things in this book, but also some infuriating things, especially as a parent. Also, I'm at the point in my life/family/marriage where marital infidelity really bothers me. I just kind of feel like saying, "Really?!? Still can't control those urges you've been experiencing since teenager-hood? I thought we were grownups?!?".
megkelly79's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
michellekmartin's review
4.0
Read this book if you love Helen Oyeyemi! For real, Ramona Ausubel's writing reminds me so much of that style: a little dark, a little strange, kind of dreamy, and all around wonderful.
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
⠀
The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
⠀
The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀
mrvm's review
challenging
reflective
medium-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
3.5