rglossner's review against another edition
4.0
Petroleum is a small town set somewhere in the western plains. The town is in the process of dying because of a dreadful accident in the once-thriving grain elevator, which killed a promising young man and tainted his younger brother, who is blamed for the tragedy. Now the elevator is closed, the trains don’t stop there, and the few residents left cling to their old ways and resentments. Mary Crampton was a very young child at the time of the accident; now she is her father’s business partner in the family funeral home, embalming the town’s dead. When younger brother returns to town to care for his dying mother, he and Mary strike up an unlikely friendship that sets her on a new path.
amysrrls's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kay_jax's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The Flicker of Old Dreams by Susan Henderson is a western novel that tackles themes of isolations, loneliness, and independence. Our main character, Mary and her father own the local mortuary and all of Mary's life she believed that she was meant to take over the business one day, however eventually she becomes determined to follow her own path in life. This was the first western novel I've read and I thought the novel perfectly captured the feeling of isolation through our main characters mood. Although I enjoyed the ambiance of the novel, I would have to say that I didn't enjoy the whole experience of reading it. I thought it was very slow and not a lot happed, so the payoff was not worth it for me. I disliked the small town setting because all of the characters were flat but somehow the reader was expected to be connected with the town of Petroleum. Because it was a small town it was also difficult to understand the dynamics of everyones relationship. Some characters seemed like they were just dropped in the middle of the novel without any introduction. Overall, I'm glad I read my first western novel but I'm not sure I'll ever read another one again.
djohan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
whatsbookinjenni's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Great vibes at the beginning, but didn’t really stick the landing. Did keep my company while my train was delayed though, which was nice
auntieg0412's review
4.0
Depressing. But still a very good read. Henderson managed to evoke a lot of emotions in me: sadness, empathy, a tiny bit of hope, and anger. A lot of anger, in fact, that people would blame a 14 year old boy for something over which he had no control, and let that blame grow into hate.
It’s a very quotable book. My Kindle copy is full of highlights.
I am reluctant to say that I recommend it, because I think a lot of people would find it too depressing. But it resonated with me because I was (am?) different, a little bit like Mary in some ways.
It’s a very quotable book. My Kindle copy is full of highlights.
I am reluctant to say that I recommend it, because I think a lot of people would find it too depressing. But it resonated with me because I was (am?) different, a little bit like Mary in some ways.
rachel_reads_regularly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shelleyann01's review against another edition
3.0
Susan Henderson has crafted a real and interesting character in Mary—sad but strong, a motherless outlier who has never been embraced by the citizens of her community, where she has lived her entire life. Living through her subtle transformation feels powerful and satisfying. She works as an embalmer, at her father's funeral home. I knew nothing about how this works, and found it fascinating to learn about the process. I also appreciated how the author made the land and landscape a virtual character, and captured the fierce loyalty of locals who stay in a withering town, no matter the consequences. The book's descriptions will stick with me forever.
book_beat's review against another edition
5.0
The Flicker of Old Dreams is a hauntingly poetic story about the death of a small midwestern town told from the perspective of someone who is well-acquainted with death, Mary, a 30 year-old embalmer. Readers will learn how a horrific event that happened 20 years prior sparks the slow deterioration of the town.
It is also a story about Mary, who has struggled to know herself within her small-town context. When you are so well known in your tiny world, presented with how you should behave and what you should do, it can be hard to discover your own passions and dreams, your own self, outside of this sphere.
Henderson's novel is character-driven but still contains a steady plot. Her prose is poetic but not flowery. Her themes of deferred dreams, death and life, family, etc. are universal. She shines with her descriptions of the town's setting (I.e. the town being so small, you could walk across the street with your eyes closed). Her take on the town's identity and behavior as a collective is memorable and complex.
This is a story of realizing dreams, apart from and because of, your roots. It is about needing to split away and claim what has always been true, deep in your bones.
It is also a story about Mary, who has struggled to know herself within her small-town context. When you are so well known in your tiny world, presented with how you should behave and what you should do, it can be hard to discover your own passions and dreams, your own self, outside of this sphere.
Henderson's novel is character-driven but still contains a steady plot. Her prose is poetic but not flowery. Her themes of deferred dreams, death and life, family, etc. are universal. She shines with her descriptions of the town's setting (I.e. the town being so small, you could walk across the street with your eyes closed). Her take on the town's identity and behavior as a collective is memorable and complex.
This is a story of realizing dreams, apart from and because of, your roots. It is about needing to split away and claim what has always been true, deep in your bones.