Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson

9 reviews

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

 I was really exited going into this book. I LOVE historical fiction and the topic of Nevada divorce ranches in the 1930s is one that has not been covered. I did know going in that the inspiration for this book was the author's father, who once worked in a divorce ranch himself. What I did not realize is that this book is not about the women who go to the divorce ranch, but about one of the men who once worked there. If you accept the book for what it is, it's ok. But for me, it was a huge disappointment.

I expected a story about the women who go to the ranch to get divorced, not about an old man narrating the story of his time working at the ranch, a la "The Notebook." This is a story about a divorce ranch for WOMEN for Pete's sake, yet the female characters were secondary to the male narrator, and never fully realized. This is a book that could have really used multiple pov's from the various women. Did I mention how strongly I feel that this is a book that should have centered the women?!!! Overall, the male pov/gaze rubbed me the wrong way. Listening to the audiobook didn't help much either. The male narrator had this folksy / southern / small town accent that was just annoying. I speed-listened to the second half of the book so I could finish it and be ready for book club. I sure hope my fellow book clubbers forgive me for choosing this drivel. 
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arcookson's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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

3.5

 Better Luck Next Time is told by Ward, a now elderly man looking back at the time he spent in the 1930s working as a ranch hand at the Flying Leap, one of Reno's divorce ranches, and the relationship that developed between him and two of the guests, roommates Nina, an independent aviator on her third visit, and shy sheltered Emily, unsure if leaving her husband was the right thing to do. Nina and Emily felt like archetypes, developed for their contrasting personalities and backstories, rather than fully rounded characters in their own right. Additionally, I really wanted to hear from the women directly rather than indirectly via a man. There's nothing wrong with the perspective of a male ranch hand. It just wasn't what I wanted. 
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gailcooksandreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Really enjoyed this Currently Reading Podcast Indie Press List pick from Tattered Covered Bookstore in Denver, CO. Well-composed, light and fun historical fiction taking place during the late 1930's that doesn't center around WWII. The audiobook was so well done, and the ending gave me chills. I'm surprised I liked this so much as it is fairly character driven, but as it is so well paced and cleverly structured, it really worked for me. Hope to read more by this author. A rare book set in Nevada if you're doing a 50 States challenge. 
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jazhandz's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

2.5

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sparksofcuriosity's review

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lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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bookdreamer's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Narrated by Ward, a cowboy at a divorce ranch in Reno in the 1920's, Better Luck Next Time follows the story of Nina and Emily as they arrive at the ranch and apply for a divorce from their respective husbands. I didn't know about divorce ranches in Nevada during that time so that was a new piece of history for me. Overall it was a light summer read, but not stellar. I only became invested in Ward's story towards the end, and Emily and Nina kind of seemed to fall flat, especially Nina. The ending didn't disappoint and the direction Emily's character development takes was interesting!
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mommingandreading's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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