Reviews

In Concrete, by Anne Garréta

caitieh's review

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

kvadehuken's review

3.0

Really enjoyed the first half, but the writer lost me in the second.

alexkerner's review

3.0

A very challenging read and I appreciate the skill translating this work took, with all the word play used. I got lost at times and that disconnected me as a reader but definitely a curious book to tackle.

ameliec's review

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

kristendom's review

4.5

I found this to be a challenging but delightful read. Lots of wordplay and puns as the narrator - a youngster in France - takes us on a journey through her family's misadventures with a concrete mixer, battles with the neighborhood bully, and various inherited properties. It's kind-of all over the place, but I thoroughly enjoyed just being entertained by the words. Definitely a good read for word people. 

richardgeo's review

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

This novel is a bit of an Oulipan roller coaster--feels more like a fever dream than a novel at times. While reading this book is a bit of a slog, the payoff comes after reading the translator's note; you might gain some insight as to what makes this novel impressive and the English translation even more so. Weird book. 

pageandpanel's review

funny slow-paced

4.0

jnelsontwo's review

challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

addison_reads's review against another edition

challenging funny fast-paced

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

3.5

The word play in this short book is absolutely brilliant. I found myself laughing several times and overall just amused by how the author used language to deliver a book about so much more than just concrete.

Although I enjoyed the wordplay, I did find the story to be a bit lacking in some areas, but it's still a pick for me.

If you read this book you have to read the translator's notes at the end. 

icameheretoread's review

4.0

Well, I never would have known this one existed had it not been for Tournament of Books, and that is why I do TOB every year. By that I mean I read the entire shortlist. When I can. 
I'm not sure what to say about this. I encourage readers to take it down in small, tasty bites because after awhile the style starts to lose its charm and become grating. 
A father and his two little girls have a cement mixer and go about trying to "muddernize" every thing. Disaster ensues. The war (WWII) still seems to be very fresh in everyone's minds. There is a scene in which all of the children of the village show up to joust (on bikes, with pitchforks and sticks). You know that wouldn't happen in the age of the helicopter mom. 
I love word play and the text made me laugh out loud on many occasions. This line, from page 93, hit the hardest for me, "Why is it the more we try to muddernize, to yuppify, the more we crappify and wind up calcified up shit creek?" Why indeed. 
So, this little book made me think big thoughts and I read it over two weeks in small bits.