crystal_reading's review
4.0
I enjoyed seeing a picture of someone remaking their life after a crisis. We do seem to almost have different lives within one and this book shows a 75 year old woman moving from one phase to another.
Made me want to try meditation again too.
Made me want to try meditation again too.
taking_tea_with_the_hatter's review
2.0
I couldn't actually get beyond the third chapter. The writing had no rhythm, was too descriptive of nothing, and the conversations felt forced and stilted. It just didn't grab me in any manner, and I felt like I was reading someone's book report. It may have gotten better if I had forged ahead, but I just couldn't do it.
nancidrum's review
3.0
I loved that the protagonist was a woman In her 70s. She was strong, yet vulnerable. The authors writing was poetic and easy to read. I give it only 3.5 stars because I just didn't feel the story had much to it. A lot of characters, but not much development of those characters. I just found it a bit unrealistic.
thelexingtonbookie's review
5.0
I happened to pick up this book up out of a stack in a local Peddlar’s Mall for one dollar. The cover looked interesting, and it had the American Library Association’s Best Adult Genre Fiction seal of approval on the front. I flipped it over to the description on the back, and was surprised to note that the setting takes place in little ol’ Vermont, my home state. Moments like that- browsing for nothing in particular, casually exploring my relatively new surroundings, and still managing to find something that brings me back to my roots- never cease to amaze me. At the risk of sounding traitorous to my new state, Vermont will always be home, no matter what my address is. Therefore, this book was going to go be mine- and I almost felt like it was meant to be.
In Every Last Cuckoo, we are introduced to main character Sarah, a seventy-five year old woman who was living with her eighty year old husband, Charles. He was a doctor, a man who wanted to help people and his community, and earn an honest living. She was a modern housewife, who enjoyed intellectual conversations with her strong, whip-smart friends and husband. It was a steady and happy marriage, though there were plenty of obstacles to overcome: the loss of a child and depression that followed; the growing pains of raising three children; the struggles with intimacy as they aged. After decades of time spent together, Sarah is reminiscent of their relatively simple and routine lives, especially as their family and friends come together over the winter holidays. But then tragedy happens- Charles is hurt in a hiking accident, and Sarah becomes a widow. She finds herself wondering how she can possibly live her normal life without Charles in it, especially when all their memories flood to the forefront of her mind.
Slowly, Sarah starts to find peace with her sudden loss, and is determined to live the rest of her life in a way that would have made Charles and her young, ambitious self proud. She takes nature walks with Charles’ Nikon, trying to see through his eyes, and works in her garden as she contemplates her past and present. She is asked by her daughter to take in a boarder who would live in their little ‘vacation’ cabin in the back of their property, to which she agrees. Then, she takes in her teenage granddaughter, Lottie, who is having troubles with her overbearing mother. After some time, Lottie asks if a few of her friends can also move in to help settle their problems at home, and Sarah agrees. Then, a family in need also moves in. Soon, she realizes that this was what she was meant to do with the rest of her life- take care of others. With her house full, Sarah realizes that she is feeling stronger and more fulfilled- and more like the person she’s always wanted to be. In turn, her boarders become a blended family that care for her, help her make amends in wounded relationships, and heal her broken heart.
I personally don’t think I’m doing this novel justice in my summary, although I tried to, because it’s so much more complex than I can describe. Maloy has woven the story lines together so beautifully, and allowed all these tiny but pure details to bubble to the surface at the most exact and perfect time. Sarah is such a dynamic character, and she actually reminds me a lot of my spunky Grandma Rain! I also loved the setting, it’s spot on the Vermont I know and love. Overall, it’s honest, touching, and clever. I highly recommend Every Last Cuckoo. I actually think I’m going to try and find another copy to give to my grandma, and the copy I have is going right back on my bookshelf.
In Every Last Cuckoo, we are introduced to main character Sarah, a seventy-five year old woman who was living with her eighty year old husband, Charles. He was a doctor, a man who wanted to help people and his community, and earn an honest living. She was a modern housewife, who enjoyed intellectual conversations with her strong, whip-smart friends and husband. It was a steady and happy marriage, though there were plenty of obstacles to overcome: the loss of a child and depression that followed; the growing pains of raising three children; the struggles with intimacy as they aged. After decades of time spent together, Sarah is reminiscent of their relatively simple and routine lives, especially as their family and friends come together over the winter holidays. But then tragedy happens- Charles is hurt in a hiking accident, and Sarah becomes a widow. She finds herself wondering how she can possibly live her normal life without Charles in it, especially when all their memories flood to the forefront of her mind.
Slowly, Sarah starts to find peace with her sudden loss, and is determined to live the rest of her life in a way that would have made Charles and her young, ambitious self proud. She takes nature walks with Charles’ Nikon, trying to see through his eyes, and works in her garden as she contemplates her past and present. She is asked by her daughter to take in a boarder who would live in their little ‘vacation’ cabin in the back of their property, to which she agrees. Then, she takes in her teenage granddaughter, Lottie, who is having troubles with her overbearing mother. After some time, Lottie asks if a few of her friends can also move in to help settle their problems at home, and Sarah agrees. Then, a family in need also moves in. Soon, she realizes that this was what she was meant to do with the rest of her life- take care of others. With her house full, Sarah realizes that she is feeling stronger and more fulfilled- and more like the person she’s always wanted to be. In turn, her boarders become a blended family that care for her, help her make amends in wounded relationships, and heal her broken heart.
I personally don’t think I’m doing this novel justice in my summary, although I tried to, because it’s so much more complex than I can describe. Maloy has woven the story lines together so beautifully, and allowed all these tiny but pure details to bubble to the surface at the most exact and perfect time. Sarah is such a dynamic character, and she actually reminds me a lot of my spunky Grandma Rain! I also loved the setting, it’s spot on the Vermont I know and love. Overall, it’s honest, touching, and clever. I highly recommend Every Last Cuckoo. I actually think I’m going to try and find another copy to give to my grandma, and the copy I have is going right back on my bookshelf.
karasmichelle's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really get into the book until about halfway through, when the pace picked up a touch. It's very character-driven, with not a lot of plot, so if you're looking for a fast-paced read this is not it.
What I did like was that the main character, Sarah, was older, independent and strong. It's not often you see a protagonist in her late 70s doing things like fighting off moose and weathering life's challenges like she does.
Also, and I think this is why I picked up the book to begin with, it's set in Vermont and so there are lots of Vermont-isms strewn throughout and a sense of community that is unique to the Green Mountain State.
What I did like was that the main character, Sarah, was older, independent and strong. It's not often you see a protagonist in her late 70s doing things like fighting off moose and weathering life's challenges like she does.
Also, and I think this is why I picked up the book to begin with, it's set in Vermont and so there are lots of Vermont-isms strewn throughout and a sense of community that is unique to the Green Mountain State.
rosemarysbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This book had such promise! The writer writes very well, but her ideas are somewhat all over the place. At some points, she makes such a wonderful observation, and then at other places, well, it's just dumb. (A kid's grades will fall because she learns to drive?)
Also, the author doesn't seem to know how teenagers function/behave/speak at all. Not at all at all.
The "bad guy" turns himself in? Seriously?
However, I love the overall concept of this book. I was hoping for so much more.
Also, the author doesn't seem to know how teenagers function/behave/speak at all. Not at all at all.
The "bad guy" turns himself in? Seriously?
However, I love the overall concept of this book. I was hoping for so much more.
juliannph's review
2.0
Read this mostly on the 9 hour flight. It started out good nut the story seemed to fizzle out.
mmz's review
4.0
This is a book much stronger on character and description than on plot. The plot falls down in several places, including Sarah's too-short mourning period and the gratuitous discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the author's power of description and ability to bring the reader into the scene are tremendous. For readers looking for a tightly woven plot, I wouldn't recommend this book. But for readers looking for scenes that will draw them in and make them feel like part of the family, this is a great book!
laura_trap's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated, and I felt a close bond with Sarah. The first part was a bit slow, it was like rolling a stone up a steep hill, for the first 50 pages or so, it was dreadfully rough progress until Charles died. I liked the themes and how Sarah seemed to grow into her own more once she no longer had a partner to share her home and bed with. Although at times it never felt that Sarah was as old as the author proclaimed her to be, which wasn't a problem until it was all we heard about. I liked the characters, but there were so many that although they held the potential for depth, we never really got past the basics. More often than not, this book told a story, it didn't show me much light. Overall good, but really nothing more than a book group book that I will never pick up again. I came away with some thoughts, but this was neither revolutionary or thought provoking.
rcjorban's review
3.0
sweet book...nice to see a character who is older and is the center of the story