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rlwertheimer's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe this wasn’t the right time for me to read this book, but the exploration of faith pushed me away rather than drawing me in.
coamyp's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful debut novel for those who love Stegner’s Crossing to Safety.
buzzlightgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love this book. I was expecting much more. Cara Wall is definitely a great writer, but it was a little underwhelming for me.
kendramantz's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll be honest...I rolled my eyes so hard when a friend chose this for book club. I am a steadfast atheist, nothing will ever change my mind on that. So how could I possibly enjoy a novel about faith? Well, I was pleasantly surprised! I think the author actually did a wonderful job telling the stories of people with different experiences with and levels of faith and religion. I was a little bit annoyed that the only non-believer in this fictional group, Lily, was unfairly painted as a villain for not wanting to participate in church activities, but at least the story was never about making her change her beliefs. I thought it was really honest about *some* of the negative aspects of God and organized religion, and I was very into the idea that even a minister may not fully believe in God and can have doubts, but it was still very obviously pro-God and pro-church. Overall, it wasn’t super emotional for me or anything, and definitely didn’t challenge or cause me to rethink my own atheism, but I didn’t dislike reading it.
nancyflanagan's review against another edition
5.0
Four and a half stars, rounded up.
There are three parts to the book--and the first part is the best, the backstories of the four main characters, how they ended up married, and how the two men came to be Presbyterian ministers together. Wall explores faith--automatic faith, suddenly realized faith, faith-with-doubt and the complete lack of faith. She draws the four characters explicitly. We see what they're bringing to the table.
In the second and third parts of the book, we see all the things that can challenge, even ruin, faith--and all the ways faith can be expressed, through persistence and good works. There is a brief epilogue that covers more than four decades, but the heart of the story is two young couples, whose hopes and dreams are bound up in religion--or a determination to avoid religion, in favor of other goals (like social justice), or just avoid it altogether. Life events change everyone in the story.
Cara Wall writes beautifully (worth rounding up an extra half-star). There's a slowdown in the book, about 2/3 of the way through, but a luminous ending, a triumph for a book that is mostly about challenges. I found it tender and wise.
There are three parts to the book--and the first part is the best, the backstories of the four main characters, how they ended up married, and how the two men came to be Presbyterian ministers together. Wall explores faith--automatic faith, suddenly realized faith, faith-with-doubt and the complete lack of faith. She draws the four characters explicitly. We see what they're bringing to the table.
In the second and third parts of the book, we see all the things that can challenge, even ruin, faith--and all the ways faith can be expressed, through persistence and good works. There is a brief epilogue that covers more than four decades, but the heart of the story is two young couples, whose hopes and dreams are bound up in religion--or a determination to avoid religion, in favor of other goals (like social justice), or just avoid it altogether. Life events change everyone in the story.
Cara Wall writes beautifully (worth rounding up an extra half-star). There's a slowdown in the book, about 2/3 of the way through, but a luminous ending, a triumph for a book that is mostly about challenges. I found it tender and wise.
becki_bee's review against another edition
5.0
The Dearly Beloved is a story of two couples, united in their ministry at the same church during the 60s. As an agnostic with some religious trauma, I'm a bit hyper-sensitive to stories that are too entrenched in faith, but this was a truly lovely book about faith and doubt and marriage and friendship and the very hard circumstances that people sometimes face. I loved the warmth of this one.
It's only Jan 7th, but I'm predicting that this will be one of my favorite reads of 2024.
It's only Jan 7th, but I'm predicting that this will be one of my favorite reads of 2024.
jannanhouse's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my...what a wonderful story this turned out to be. I will admit that in the beginning I wasn't quite sure, BUT then, rather quickly, the characters and the writing all came together and I could barely put it down. I've not read anything like this book. Highly recommend.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
lisanreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
The beginning of this impressive debut is expansive and gorgeous in its betrayal of people finding their passions in college. I absolutely adored the first half, despite the somewhat liturgical setting. However the last 1/3 felt rushed. Everyone felt much more limited and confined, and I wondered why she let go of the more expansive, saga-like setting.
The beginning of this impressive debut is expansive and gorgeous in its betrayal of people finding their passions in college. I absolutely adored the first half, despite the somewhat liturgical setting. However the last 1/3 felt rushed. Everyone felt much more limited and confined, and I wondered why she let go of the more expansive, saga-like setting.
bdacath's review against another edition
5.0
The first thing I did when I finished this novel was look to see what else this author has written! So you know that'a good thing. Sadly I believe I will have to wait. This was a debut novel. I absolutely loved it. The characters were all so relatable, their struggles and fears and joys, even Lily who was seemingly impenetrable. By the end, though I can't say I really ever liked her, I understood her.
A fabulous book to lose yourself in. Highly recommended.
A fabulous book to lose yourself in. Highly recommended.