carolbsmith's review against another edition
1.0
I picked this book up because it looked interesting, but wow... I was wrong. I forced myself to almost finish it. I got to the last chapter and decided I just didn't care enough to read it. I have never done that before. The characters were flat and the writing was not to my taste. I'm not saying this was a terrible book... I'm just saying that personally, I didn't like it.
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I expected this to be better. Very predictable, surface characters and very heavy-handed with metaphors.
leawyo's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love this. On the drugs e it had potential but unfortunately the author chose not to dig much further. It was a quick read but not memorable. The lion was my favorite part.
jordynkw's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Alcoholism
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
It was sweet. It was heart-warming. It didn't go anywhere unexpected, but it took an affirming road there.
I was smiling when I finished it, because things worked out the way you want them to, all with a sparkling diamond bow on top.
It was sweet. It was heart-warming. It didn't go anywhere unexpected, but it took an affirming road there.
I was smiling when I finished it, because things worked out the way you want them to, all with a sparkling diamond bow on top.
knboereads's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up The Lion is In by Delia Ephron simply because of the short excerpt on the back. A lion wearing a wedding veil? I thought it would an interesting read, and it was.
Lana, Tracee, and Rita are three very different women on the run from their former lives. While I could relate to some aspects of their challenges and life choices, it was also a new experience for me to read about such characters and actually enjoy it. I tend to stay away from contemporary novels, especially if there is a hint of darkness in the synopsis. I don't like dark stories. This book did have dark elements in it, and yes, it did deal with some very dark problems, that many people deal with at some level or another, by Delia Ephron managed to not only infuse the story with light humor and engaging characters, she also managed to make it a bit magical.
One of my favorite characters was of course Marcel. (SPOILERS) So often animals are treated in novels as a source of comedy or a way to show that the character is caring and has a heart. Marcel is a character all on his own, from his massive mane, to the tip of his tail. Their was such a presence about him, in the way Delia Ephron wrote him, that I could feel it even through the pages.
Tim was a revelation. The way he fell for Tracee and the earnest, gentlemanly way he pursued her was sweet and manly at the same time. I found myself wishing for someone like him.
Lana made me angry, sad, and irritated. The way she blamed all of her problems on other people (yes, I know its common for alcoholics) just really got under my skin. For some reason I could not feel as much compassion for her as I did for Tracee. The way she threw temper tantrums whenever things didn't go her way, or when she thought everything was against her irked me and broke my heart at the same time. I understood her and rooted for her and yet I also became irritated with her at the time. This is more a testament to how well Delia Ephron can write a character than to any mistake or wrong on her part. The characters, all the characters, moved me and caused emotions to rise in me, which does not happen that often now a days.
Tracee, however, did not get off scott free. Her co-dependance and her inability (at first) to move forward on her own irked me, probably because it may have hit a bit too close to home. At the same time I found myself glad that I was like neither of the women, and yet I could see parts of myself in each one, as well.
Henry, Rita's husband, is one of the characters in a book that makes me think violent thoughts and that is all I will say on the matter. I wanted to reach into the book and shake him and probably throw him under a bus. You see, violent thoughts.
All in all, 5 out 5 stars. A excellent book filled with great characters and a story that will touch your heart and make you smile.
Lana, Tracee, and Rita are three very different women on the run from their former lives. While I could relate to some aspects of their challenges and life choices, it was also a new experience for me to read about such characters and actually enjoy it. I tend to stay away from contemporary novels, especially if there is a hint of darkness in the synopsis. I don't like dark stories. This book did have dark elements in it, and yes, it did deal with some very dark problems, that many people deal with at some level or another, by Delia Ephron managed to not only infuse the story with light humor and engaging characters, she also managed to make it a bit magical.
One of my favorite characters was of course Marcel. (SPOILERS) So often animals are treated in novels as a source of comedy or a way to show that the character is caring and has a heart. Marcel is a character all on his own, from his massive mane, to the tip of his tail. Their was such a presence about him, in the way Delia Ephron wrote him, that I could feel it even through the pages.
Tim was a revelation. The way he fell for Tracee and the earnest, gentlemanly way he pursued her was sweet and manly at the same time. I found myself wishing for someone like him.
Lana made me angry, sad, and irritated. The way she blamed all of her problems on other people (yes, I know its common for alcoholics) just really got under my skin. For some reason I could not feel as much compassion for her as I did for Tracee. The way she threw temper tantrums whenever things didn't go her way, or when she thought everything was against her irked me and broke my heart at the same time. I understood her and rooted for her and yet I also became irritated with her at the time. This is more a testament to how well Delia Ephron can write a character than to any mistake or wrong on her part. The characters, all the characters, moved me and caused emotions to rise in me, which does not happen that often now a days.
Tracee, however, did not get off scott free. Her co-dependance and her inability (at first) to move forward on her own irked me, probably because it may have hit a bit too close to home. At the same time I found myself glad that I was like neither of the women, and yet I could see parts of myself in each one, as well.
Henry, Rita's husband, is one of the characters in a book that makes me think violent thoughts and that is all I will say on the matter. I wanted to reach into the book and shake him and probably throw him under a bus. You see, violent thoughts.
All in all, 5 out 5 stars. A excellent book filled with great characters and a story that will touch your heart and make you smile.
owloutstanding's review against another edition
2.0
While reading this, I wondered where the heart of the story was. What is missing that detail and plot cannot fill in?
I think the story opens too flimsily; it feels like a gimmick, and I felt like I was being duped into a story. I don't know, but it might be because so much of the book relies on dialogue, which can be distancing. We don't know characters' sense of humor or really much about them, so dialogue is like overhearing people without seeing them.
I think the story opens too flimsily; it feels like a gimmick, and I felt like I was being duped into a story. I don't know, but it might be because so much of the book relies on dialogue, which can be distancing. We don't know characters' sense of humor or really much about them, so dialogue is like overhearing people without seeing them.
solson1974's review against another edition
3.0
I liked these characters and I liked the story line, I just felt like everything could have been a little more developed.
acinthedc's review against another edition
3.0
A feel good story about three women who "need fixing" of one sort or another. There are two lions in the story, a bar and wild animal. Both provide the women with opportunities to explore who they are, who they want to be, and support to help them along the way.
pelachick's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story of three women who are lost in different ways. And the lion who helps them find themselves.