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epbenton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
2.0
I persevered to finish this. I did not enjoy the style of writing and the characters' lives were not interesting either.
misstj9's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
trayceebee's review against another edition
5.0
Oddly, I picked this book up when I was feeling blue, hoping to read something light and cheery. I *knew* that the movie always made me cry (like, UGLY cry), but I also laughed quite a bit when watching it, so I hoped I'd find some laughter in spite of the tears while reading this book.
Amazingly, I found far more laughter than I'd ever expected! I always loved Emma's character (Debra Winger in the film), and I found Aurora to be, at the very least, interesting (Shirley MacLaine). But their characters in this book were far more developed than in the movie. I truly enjoyed reading about each of them individually, as well as their interactions with each other. Naturally, I pictured them looking much like the actors who played them in the movie, and that was alright. It worked.
Larry McMurtry certainly wrote a masterpiece with this book. The introduction of the book pointed out that this is actually the third in a trilogy.... I may or may not pick up the other two. All I know for sure is that, from beginning to end, I loved the characters, the descriptions of various scenes, the events, and the relationships! I'm so thrilled that I own a copy of this book, as I'll likely come back to it again in the future!!!
Amazingly, I found far more laughter than I'd ever expected! I always loved Emma's character (Debra Winger in the film), and I found Aurora to be, at the very least, interesting (Shirley MacLaine). But their characters in this book were far more developed than in the movie. I truly enjoyed reading about each of them individually, as well as their interactions with each other. Naturally, I pictured them looking much like the actors who played them in the movie, and that was alright. It worked.
Larry McMurtry certainly wrote a masterpiece with this book. The introduction of the book pointed out that this is actually the third in a trilogy.... I may or may not pick up the other two. All I know for sure is that, from beginning to end, I loved the characters, the descriptions of various scenes, the events, and the relationships! I'm so thrilled that I own a copy of this book, as I'll likely come back to it again in the future!!!
maryehavens's review against another edition
1.0
I'm taking some of my review from another reader: This book is "actually a mother and her suitors, and daughter and her love affairs. The ending was actually pretty good but I think the author wasted a lot of pages for that. The beginning was too detailed and silly while the ending was too rushed and dramatic. No balance for this book."
I literally trudged my way through to get to the ending. I felt like either McMurtry is brilliant for having the book treat the reader like Aurora treats everyone in her life: making them wait and then showing glimmers of love/laughter/gaiety. OR McMurtry stumbled around and wrote details about Aurora's life as some sort of exploration of "women and the art of manipulation."
If you are interested in self-destructive relationships, read this. It's saved by its ending which FINALLY moves things along.
I literally trudged my way through to get to the ending. I felt like either McMurtry is brilliant for having the book treat the reader like Aurora treats everyone in her life: making them wait and then showing glimmers of love/laughter/gaiety. OR McMurtry stumbled around and wrote details about Aurora's life as some sort of exploration of "women and the art of manipulation."
If you are interested in self-destructive relationships, read this. It's saved by its ending which FINALLY moves things along.
mwtedeschi's review against another edition
2.0
375 pages of a rambling monologue of one of the most annoying characters I've ever come across. Then, finally, in the last 25 pages of the book the author slaps together what could be a great story with great characters. But then the story just ends abruptly. I didn't even have time to start feeling sad before the book ended. Could have saved myself a lot of time and just read the last chapter and called it a day.
amibunk's review against another edition
1.0
Apparently I am the only person on the the planet who does not like this book enough to finish it. Sigh. But life's too short to read books I don't enjoy, no matter the peer pressure.
vernellcd's review against another edition
4.0
My actual rating is 3 1/2. I loved the first section on Aroura but the second smaller section on Emma was not as enjoyable.