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Reviews tagging 'Infertility'
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
53 reviews
lo_ferrara's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unexpectedly sad and a bit too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
glowbunny's review against another edition
This was awful. Disjointed timelines, flat characters, no plot. And apparently Florence did something when Archie and Floyd were going to go to Chicago together and my partner, listeing with me, and I were both going "wait, what did she do, did she tell her Mom? Did he not tell us that or did we both completely miss it?" And honestly, I can't even tell you if that was a "major" point in the non-existent plot. And who decides the want to be insta-BFF's with a complete stranger because - I kid you not - they know how to field dress a deer because you just hit said deer with your car? Right after we open the book (trigger warning)on a miscarriage in the work bathroom Seriously š³ - will not be reading this author again. Did I mention this book was awful?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
hdunscombe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Infidelity, and Car accident
gwalt118's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Let it be known that I love Minnesotan authors. I love my adopted home state. I love the Northern part of my adopted home state. I love Midwestern culture. I loved - absolutely LOVED - Kitchens of the Great Midwest. Alas, I did not love this book.
I found aspects of this book to be particularly heartbreaking in ways I was not prepared for and probably would have caused me not to read the book at this particular time. Both the cover and the jacket description made me think this book was a somewhat lighthearted, humorous summer read. It is not. I found this novel profoundly sad and not necessarily in a bittersweet way. Just a sad way. Most of the characters frustrated me. Some redeemed themselves, but others did not.
I loved the aspects of Northern Minnesota culture and the unique beauty that is a Midwestern supper club. Stradal is a wonderful storyteller, and I admire the way he wrote this story of multiple women over three generations. I will absolutely continue to read his work, but this one just missed the mark for me.
I found aspects of this book to be particularly heartbreaking in ways I was not prepared for and probably would have caused me not to read the book at this particular time. Both the cover and the jacket description made me think this book was a somewhat lighthearted, humorous summer read. It is not. I found this novel profoundly sad and not necessarily in a bittersweet way. Just a sad way. Most of the characters frustrated me. Some redeemed themselves, but others did not.
I loved the aspects of Northern Minnesota culture and the unique beauty that is a Midwestern supper club. Stradal is a wonderful storyteller, and I admire the way he wrote this story of multiple women over three generations. I will absolutely continue to read his work, but this one just missed the mark for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, and Death of parent
hal2499's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
So the start of this book I was confused. I get confused when you start jumping time and characters. I started to figure out what was happening and then got into it. By the 45% I was into the book and couldn't stop listening to it. The ending is what really did it for me and I almost started crying but alas I was at work and kept it together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, and Miscarriage
leahgustafson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
3.0
I picked this one up because I needed something lighter and was really in the mood for something to fuel my excitement for summer. The Midwest, summertime, Up North vibes were spot on and made my heart so happy. Also, knowing and having been to the places referred to in a book always makes the reading experience more fun for me.
ā¢
I am a fan of books with multiple narrators and nonlinear timelines, and I read a lot of them. Unfortunately, the changing of perspectives and timelines in this one felt like we were really jumping around and did not flow cohesively. This format seemed to make the story more confusing, rather than adding perspective.
ā¢
There are some BIG, tragic events that occur in this bookābe sure to check the content warnings. To be honest, Iām not sure they are all necessary to get to the heart of this particular story. Some of them just felt throw in. A few of the big themes/events are never fully developed and just sort of fall off. These feel like they could be ideas for other, separate books.
ā¢
Finally, some of the characters didnāt seem to match personality-wise with previous versions of themselves. Of course, people grow/change over time, but I didnāt find this kind of development well demonstrated.
ā¢
I know people have absolutely loved J. Ryan Stradalās other books, and Iād be willing to give those a try. If youāve read this one or any of his others, Iād love to hear your thoughts!
ā¢
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
ā¢
I am a fan of books with multiple narrators and nonlinear timelines, and I read a lot of them. Unfortunately, the changing of perspectives and timelines in this one felt like we were really jumping around and did not flow cohesively. This format seemed to make the story more confusing, rather than adding perspective.
ā¢
There are some BIG, tragic events that occur in this bookābe sure to check the content warnings. To be honest, Iām not sure they are all necessary to get to the heart of this particular story. Some of them just felt throw in. A few of the big themes/events are never fully developed and just sort of fall off. These feel like they could be ideas for other, separate books.
ā¢
Finally, some of the characters didnāt seem to match personality-wise with previous versions of themselves. Of course, people grow/change over time, but I didnāt find this kind of development well demonstrated.
ā¢
I know people have absolutely loved J. Ryan Stradalās other books, and Iād be willing to give those a try. If youāve read this one or any of his others, Iād love to hear your thoughts!
ā¢
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
legallylauren15's review against another edition
Discusses infertility and miscarriage
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
jo_22's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Awesome book- I loved the Minnesota setting and that it was centered around the supper club. Did a great job shifting character perspectives and time periods and it was really wholesome. Themes/focus areas of family & generations, small town culture, hardship & hope. I do wish there was a bit more parts tying some plot points together (ex. Have Ned reflect on Marielās death or convo of Ned talking to Julia about Gus. More of Florence and Mariel after they reconcile, etc ) however @ the same time I do think there was strength and effectiveness in not focusing so much on the dynamics between characters after plot points occur and more focused on how each character deals with / lives their life with the weight/gifts/hopes of past generations. Plus it aligns well with the Midwestern/Minnesotan way of āthings we donāt talk aboutā.
I loved the last pageā and overall the book made me reflect on and appreciate my family & generations before me.
Really well-written.
I loved the last pageā and overall the book made me reflect on and appreciate my family & generations before me.
Really well-written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Classism
jenrud31's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.75
Another enjoyable Midwest family drama centered around supper club culture. Themes of legacy, intergenerational traumas, forgiveness, and the complicated relationships we all have with mom. Stradal always leaves me hungry for another story and a hot meal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage
jacquettareads's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Infertility