Scan barcode
daisiesinthebreeze's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lora_h's review against another edition
4.0
Through journal entries & letters, this book chronicles the early to mid 1930s events in the lives of 2 Canadian sisters.
The author is very skilled at story telling, inventing interesting characters & arcs. This particular book includes casual references to historical events, personages, & works of art that have much greater significance in the 90 odd years since the story takes place - a clever way of taking us back into that time period without showing undue artifice.
I read with trepidation, male authors telling female stories, but Wright does a fair job.
There are some short comings - his telling through a womans journal of her early pregnancy & then the aftermath of its termination show he hasnt a clue what it feels like to be in a womans body. Surely there was some woman Beta reader who could have nudged him back on the right path. And there is the one time he has a heterosexual woman sexually assess another woman more in the voice of a man than the woman who supposedly made the observation.
On the other hand, he writes a rape, again from the womans perspective, with a realism & detachment that convinces, as does the aftermath to the victim herself. All the women characters are fully drawn & show what happens to many women in their interactions with men. Wright is on their side.
About 2 thirds through the book, Clara moved toward being a pathetic rather than strong unconventional western female. I stuck with Wright, however, & he eventually brought Clara back to where she could reclaim herself but then BAM! he ended the book before the reader could see if she did it or not.
The afterword lets us know she did not, but told in a way that was disconnected to the Clara followed for over 400 pages. I had no idea why the things described in the afterword could possibly have come to pass. It felt as if Wright had belittled & degraded Clara with his writing, got bored, & gave it a bad ending because thats what he wanted, not what Clara would have done at all.
Ive asked myself if I would have the same reaction had a woman written this book. I would still feel the book failed Clara, but I wouldnt put it down to the authors gender. So in fairness to Mr Wright, I will say that the book failed Clara, but he is a talented writer.
The author is very skilled at story telling, inventing interesting characters & arcs. This particular book includes casual references to historical events, personages, & works of art that have much greater significance in the 90 odd years since the story takes place - a clever way of taking us back into that time period without showing undue artifice.
I read with trepidation, male authors telling female stories, but Wright does a fair job.
There are some short comings - his telling through a womans journal of her early pregnancy & then the aftermath of its termination show he hasnt a clue what it feels like to be in a womans body. Surely there was some woman Beta reader who could have nudged him back on the right path. And there is the one time he has a heterosexual woman sexually assess another woman more in the voice of a man than the woman who supposedly made the observation.
On the other hand, he writes a rape, again from the womans perspective, with a realism & detachment that convinces, as does the aftermath to the victim herself. All the women characters are fully drawn & show what happens to many women in their interactions with men. Wright is on their side.
About 2 thirds through the book, Clara moved toward being a pathetic rather than strong unconventional western female. I stuck with Wright, however, & he eventually brought Clara back to where she could reclaim herself but then BAM! he ended the book before the reader could see if she did it or not.
The afterword lets us know she did not, but told in a way that was disconnected to the Clara followed for over 400 pages. I had no idea why the things described in the afterword could possibly have come to pass. It felt as if Wright had belittled & degraded Clara with his writing, got bored, & gave it a bad ending because thats what he wanted, not what Clara would have done at all.
Ive asked myself if I would have the same reaction had a woman written this book. I would still feel the book failed Clara, but I wouldnt put it down to the authors gender. So in fairness to Mr Wright, I will say that the book failed Clara, but he is a talented writer.
traceyns's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
slm869's review against another edition
4.0
Really good and hard to believe it was written by a man.
chaptersofjenni's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
a_blue_sun's review against another edition
I don’t like epistolary books and the historical details felt forced and gimmicky. Also rape, which I don’t want to read about .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Rape
bookthia's review against another edition
4.0
This one is a Giller Prize winner from 2001. Its brilliant and a beautiful reflection of what life must have been like for women in the 1930's and 40's. It makes you realize how much we take for granted. A lovely story of two sisters, very unalike, but still with a strong loving bond. It is written in a diary-style, with some letters for filler. Its extremely good.
katiethebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting book. It was written all in letters and journal entries. It made numerous references to period music, politics and war. I felt as if I was in the 1930s along with the sisters. I was able to get right inside the characters minds and feel along with them. It was hard to get into - but once I did, I enjoyed the ride.
mimii's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent read... I loved it. It's a rather understated story of a Canadian school teacher and her glamourous, successful sister who is a radio star in NYC in the 30's. The characters are well drawn, their trials are realistic and Wright's style totally engages. But Clara is the star and her grace and courage totally impress. Critics commented on the decade of the 30's as a central feature and the place of women pre-women's lib as a significant factor in the story. I thought that Clara's world and choices were totally dictated by the times and I respected her all the more. Well worth the read and I am sorry that I have finished this wonderful story.
faith_bookluvr's review against another edition
2.0
4/10 - C
I typically like books written in letter or diary format but this just fell short for me. Just not my cup of tea I guess. The writing wasn’t bad but nothing about the story grabbed me.
I typically like books written in letter or diary format but this just fell short for me. Just not my cup of tea I guess. The writing wasn’t bad but nothing about the story grabbed me.