kaitoro_walker13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Just a solid, solid book. Great characters, great plot. Really well written
lillianjv's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
meyermalley's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
Reads smoother than most Zevin books. Each snippet moves quickly, and the characters are distinctive if unlikable (which is predominantly the point of the story).
readingfuriously's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
breelynstelle's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
antonsk's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
elinacre's review against another edition
3.0
well, that was depressing... what a bunch of unlikeables!
teffin's review against another edition
3.0
better than the cover suggests but no where near as good as her other books. definitely reminiscent of the corrections but thankfully shorter and easier to get in to.
kittypaws9's review against another edition
4.0
Not for everyone. Paints a very realistic picture of life in America. Jumps around in time and perspective. If you are looking for closure and for the story to be tied with a bow, this book is not for you. If you are you instead looking for a hard, slice of life, everyone is awful and awful things happen all the time kind of book, this is for you!
jeansbookbag's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really interesting take on the “American Dream.” It’s definitely not an overly happy book, but a really compelling family story, one that was surprisingly hard to put down.