Reviews

The Children's Bach by Helen Garner

tonyk's review

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

3.0

therealcubcake's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

 There is something magic about Helen Garner's writing. If you want heavy details, they aren't there, yet somehow she still  conveys every detail you need. This is only the second book of Garners that I have read. The first fictional one for me. 
   "The Children's Bach" takes place in the 1980s, Melbourne. It's about "nothing" in the sense that it really portrays daily life and the at times, mundane routine of things. At the same time, this short novel is about burdens and constraints. An unraveling. The awaking of new found freedoms, wanting more, and I'll even say guilt. Is the grass greener on the other side?  
     Looking forward to the next Garner book. I think we are fortunate to finally have access to her work here in America. We can finally see what all of the Australian praise is about! 

jacquelinepon's review against another edition

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

5.0

dcmr's review

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2.0

I spent most of this novel having no idea who or what was going on, but literary minds greater than mine have hailed this book so I clearly missed its meaning.

ishan_m's review

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lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

3.75

Very fun afternoon read! Reminded me of Mrs Dalloway in the soap-like nature of storytelling. The writing is slightly economic, but it really works here, as you get to know exactly who these characters are the second they grace the page.

hein's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Interesting prose style 
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tashabye's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

2.75

A slow and sometimes disjointed read. The premise sounded interesting and I love that it is set in Australia in the 80s but overall it took me a while to get through as I was just not invested in any of the characters.

 Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for a chance to review the eARC edition in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

tellthebeees's review

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reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Short, simple sentences create a short, devastating novel about the effects of marriage in a strangely prescient novel from the 1980s. Slightly too sparse- Normal People for Gen X, if you will- but weirdly devoid of any human sentiment. Maybe I'm too American and eager for drama and explosive conversations in a novel about a marriage-in-crisis, but the muted crescendo will definitely work for some.

sesealyah's review against another edition

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challenging relaxing tense 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

2.75

kegifford's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Captivating. Great writing. I'm so glad to have come upon Garner--what an original voice.