cass_booklover's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-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
3.75
a_violentfemme's review
4.0
Not really what I expected from the description but it was enjoyable none-the-less! The story focuses on twin sisters and Baker writes each with an intriguing wit. Overall a tale of a very eccentric (perhaps dysfunctional) family told through an interesting lens.
singularexpression's review against another edition
5.0
Cassandra is just like me fr. Brilliant and really fucking dramatic
hannah850's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.0
erinbarton's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism and Eating disorder
elisanolasco's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
5.0
Cassandra and her twin, Judith, have always been very close, but when Judith moves to the other side of the country, and decides to marry, their relationship seems impossibly fractured. Cassandra is a fantastic character: at 24, she is a mixture of assertive and naive as she struggles to navigate the world without her sister and cope with her depression. Baker's writing on depression is amazingly, heart-breakingly astute. I was completely floored by this novel. It's sparsely populated, but each character -- Cassandra, Judith, their father and grandmother -- are so full of life and vigour. It's a privilege to get to know them even as we are sucked into sadness and despair. This book is so complex -- it's so hard to end literary fiction satisfyingly without being either cloying or disappointing, but Baker manages to create an emotionally-savvy plot that doesn't stumble once. This book should be read by everyone.
andrew61's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As Cassandra returns to her childhood home for her sister Judith's wedding to an unremarkable doctor, she faces a breach with the bond that is fundamental to her being after the death of their vibrant but unpredictable mother.
Judith is a talented pianist who, unlike Cassandra, appears settled in her own life, and the prospect of a future subsumed to her husband. Cassandra appears in the family home like a whirlwind and is determined to undermine the wedding and the consequent loss of her sister.
As referenced in the backlisted episode, the book fizzes like a bebop jazz quartet. Cassandra is a brilliant character troubled but unique and this a book that definitely deserves a reread.
Judith is a talented pianist who, unlike Cassandra, appears settled in her own life, and the prospect of a future subsumed to her husband. Cassandra appears in the family home like a whirlwind and is determined to undermine the wedding and the consequent loss of her sister.
As referenced in the backlisted episode, the book fizzes like a bebop jazz quartet. Cassandra is a brilliant character troubled but unique and this a book that definitely deserves a reread.