Reviews

Carry the One by Carol Anshaw

moogen's review

3.0

An interesting enough premise - but I didn't like the characters and I was never convinced that the event that begins this novel changes the course of any of their lives.

willowshelter's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Child death, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Car accident

melissakuzma's review

5.0

I loved this! This book was so right up my alley. It's the story of a group of people involved (but mostly two sisters and their brother) in a car accident that killed a little girl, and what happens to them in the 20 or so years following the accident. Absolutely perfect. Best book I've read so far this year.

cami19's review

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

2.5

sonia_reppe's review

1.0

I read this for work. I did not like any of the characters at all. They are almost ludicrous stereotypes, but I think we are meant to take them seriously. One character says about another: "He's being stupidly tragic. Who cares?" This is how I feel about all of the characters here, I do not care for them or the flimsy plot. It would've been interesting if the fatal accident had changed any of them, but it seems to me they already had their problems/character flaws/inflated egos before the accident happened. I wanted it to be over, because it depressed me, being in these people's lives.

lori_reads_everything's review

4.0

This book begins on the evening that three siblings witness a horrible tragedy. As decades pass, we see how their lives move on in some ways, and stay frozen in others. Each of them finds their own way to cope, while always supporting one another.
While this isn't the best story I've read, the author did make me invested in their lives and interested to see how their stories played out. I feel like this book deserves a solid 3.5/5 stars (which I've rounded up to 4).

k8iedid's review against another edition

This didn't seem at all what it promised - I got halfway through and failed to see how the "incident" played through the characters' lives as time moved on. Did I miss something? And since none of the characters jumped off the page (the voice?) for me, I gave up. Disappointing b/c I really liked the idea of this book and I've heard such great things about (and still will read) Room.

theredqueen444's review

1.0

This book was horribly depressing. Not one of the characters had anything good happen to them. Wait, one settled in the end into a mediocre relationship. Definitely would not recommend unless you love dark and depressing books.

eleong's review

4.0

A haunting novel that throws strangers and family together over one tragic event. Anshaw's language is stunningly beautiful - I found myself re-reading sentences just for the joy in hearing the phrases again in my head. The characters are developed at an even pace so that the reader gets to know them slowly over time and very, very well.

lola425's review

4.0

Loved it. But again, i love stories that skip around in time, stories that focus on how one event or series of events can influence future behavior. I love the way Anshaw writes her charaters--they feel like real people, they are perfectly flawed. I also love the way Anshaw navigates love. There is passion and comfort, brief satisfaction, periods of disappointment and unrest. Aquamarine is a book that always stayed with me, was a touchpoint for what I love about fiction and I feel similarly about this book.

Plus, a Rufus Wainwright shout out is always welcome.