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abernathy_33's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
writer6's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book, but I sadly didn’t love it due to the fact that the book jumping around in time made it rather challenging to follow the plot and keep all of the characters straight in my head.
My Rating/Score: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads’ rating system. 7 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
My Rating/Score: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads’ rating system. 7 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
anderson65's review against another edition
4.0
Privilege
Exclusivity
Melancholy
Inevitability
Generations
Exclusivity
Melancholy
Inevitability
Generations
sofi0518's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story but this book was tedious to get through. I imagine the author was intent on portraying the rose colored glasses of the 50s - but I felt she was hitting me over the head with it over and over. The need to ensure the reader felt the Miltons were “good” while 20/20 hindsight shows them otherwise overpowered the book. And I still came away with questions - which I suppose was also the point but it left me dissatisfied.
bound_by_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
riada's review against another edition
3.0
Sarah Blake's "The Guest Book" is a multigenerational family drama on social problems. For different reasons, it didn't resonate with me.
I struggled to relate to the characters and grasp their perspectives because of the writing style. They looked like strange characters at a grand party—beautiful from afar but unrecognizable up close. I felt like I was deciphering an old screenplay conversation full of mysterious riddles.
With their wealth and old-fashioned values, the Miltons were as approachable as penguins in a desert. At first, their attempts to adapt were funny, but they looked awkward and unconvincing like a duck learning ballroom dance. They grew tired of using "that's just how things were done" to justify their old ways. Their lack of effort and willingness to accept their flaws made it hard to sympathize with them.
Characters attempt to portray themselves as virtuous, yet repeatedly fall short without learning crucial lessons or recognizing their missteps. For instance, Evie denies the dark side of her distinguished family history despite evidence like a photo of her grandfather at a Nazi event. This reluctance to accept uncomfortable truths became a stumbling block to connecting with the story.
The storytelling, spread across multiple timelines and characters, lacked clear signposts, causing confusion in following the plot. In addition, the reading experience was diminished due to an abundance of unnecessary and tedious descriptions.
Given these criticisms, two book quotes stand out:
'Because people are people. People have complicated lives. Lives that don't necessarily fall so cleanly into black-and-white choices—people are blind, but still well-intended, and see as far as they can,'and
'We won’t speak of this. We needn’t speak of this, ever again.'
These quotes touch upon the complexity of human nature and the inclination to evade uncomfortable truths. However, while these themes were explored, they didn't strike a deep resonance with me as a reader.
I struggled to relate to the characters and grasp their perspectives because of the writing style. They looked like strange characters at a grand party—beautiful from afar but unrecognizable up close. I felt like I was deciphering an old screenplay conversation full of mysterious riddles.
With their wealth and old-fashioned values, the Miltons were as approachable as penguins in a desert. At first, their attempts to adapt were funny, but they looked awkward and unconvincing like a duck learning ballroom dance. They grew tired of using "that's just how things were done" to justify their old ways. Their lack of effort and willingness to accept their flaws made it hard to sympathize with them.
Characters attempt to portray themselves as virtuous, yet repeatedly fall short without learning crucial lessons or recognizing their missteps. For instance, Evie denies the dark side of her distinguished family history despite evidence like a photo of her grandfather at a Nazi event. This reluctance to accept uncomfortable truths became a stumbling block to connecting with the story.
The storytelling, spread across multiple timelines and characters, lacked clear signposts, causing confusion in following the plot. In addition, the reading experience was diminished due to an abundance of unnecessary and tedious descriptions.
Given these criticisms, two book quotes stand out:
'Because people are people. People have complicated lives. Lives that don't necessarily fall so cleanly into black-and-white choices—people are blind, but still well-intended, and see as far as they can,'and
'We won’t speak of this. We needn’t speak of this, ever again.'
These quotes touch upon the complexity of human nature and the inclination to evade uncomfortable truths. However, while these themes were explored, they didn't strike a deep resonance with me as a reader.
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
4.0
”There's only one life, Kitty,” she whispered sadly. “Just the one chance at it. And you can either get it right. Or wrong. And we never know, do we, as we're spinning along in it. We never know. And then one day, there you are.”
The Guest Book is an epic family saga you won’t soon forget – and neither will I. The story centers around three generations of the Milton family – the very epitome of white privilege and class. Their stories move effortlessly, back and forth between the pre-WWII 30s into the 50s and 60s and up to present day. The family’s decisions and fates are bound to their beloved summer home on Crockett Island, and Evie, a Milton granddaughter, is keen to hang on to the iconic property following her mother’s passing. Only slowly, does she come to realize the truths behind the idyllic setting.
I really enjoyed the way the story captured the essence of the times, or at least the essence of being wealthy, well-bred, and white. Some characters were more likable than others but all were key to carrying the story forward. Slowly secrets are revealed and Evie learns more about her grandparents and aunts and uncles than she bargained for.
Admittedly the book started slowly, but it kept me interested in the characters’ lives and loves. I felt their guilt and their sorrows and passions. I loathed some of their decisions and became annoyed by glaring faults, but it would hardly be a story without them. The ending was satisfying but it took a long time to get there. And there were a few loose ends – did no one ever know about Neddy? – that were never picked up.
Overall, it was a good and captivating read. Many thanks to Flatiron books for the ARC in exchange for a fair review. The Guest Book releases May 7 and is sure to be popular among fans of historical fiction.
The Guest Book is an epic family saga you won’t soon forget – and neither will I. The story centers around three generations of the Milton family – the very epitome of white privilege and class. Their stories move effortlessly, back and forth between the pre-WWII 30s into the 50s and 60s and up to present day. The family’s decisions and fates are bound to their beloved summer home on Crockett Island, and Evie, a Milton granddaughter, is keen to hang on to the iconic property following her mother’s passing. Only slowly, does she come to realize the truths behind the idyllic setting.
I really enjoyed the way the story captured the essence of the times, or at least the essence of being wealthy, well-bred, and white. Some characters were more likable than others but all were key to carrying the story forward. Slowly secrets are revealed and Evie learns more about her grandparents and aunts and uncles than she bargained for.
Admittedly the book started slowly, but it kept me interested in the characters’ lives and loves. I felt their guilt and their sorrows and passions. I loathed some of their decisions and became annoyed by glaring faults, but it would hardly be a story without them. The ending was satisfying but it took a long time to get there. And there were a few loose ends – did no one ever know about Neddy? – that were never picked up.
Overall, it was a good and captivating read. Many thanks to Flatiron books for the ARC in exchange for a fair review. The Guest Book releases May 7 and is sure to be popular among fans of historical fiction.
eileenchapman1's review
It wasn't the right time for me to read this. So I don't want to rate it because of my own distraction during Coronavirus.
tfussell's review against another edition
5.0
This book puts a face on racism and how it is engrained in American history. The family that
“Rules” Crockett Island believe they are open minded and embrace all people. The truth is something else!
“Rules” Crockett Island believe they are open minded and embrace all people. The truth is something else!