Reviews

Old Songs in a New Cafe by Robert James Waller

rainy_window's review

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lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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? No

3.0

knapikg's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

pickleballlibrarian's review

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5.0

For any fan of Robert James Waller, I recommend this. Lots of quick reads that will leave you smiling. Proves that he is more than just the Bridges book.

leannep's review

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slow-paced

2.5

Not as entertaining as I  hoped

bourbonandabook's review

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

camroosh's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

This is a beautiful collection of autobiographical essays. The author paints vivid pictures of his rural life.

_mallc_'s review

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3.0

A few really lovely essays.

sarahc_98's review

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5.0

I call "I Am Orange Band" one of the best essays ever.

stephgraves's review

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3.0

A couple of the essays--"A Canticle for Roadcat" and "romance" in particular--are truly transcendent, and there are real moments of mirth as well, but all in all the obviousness that most of these began life as newspaper columns is clear. And, well, newspaper writing is not my preferred style. Too stilted, too stripped bare.

But, a good read nonetheless, particularly if you are given over to sentimentality like I am.

kbeddes's review

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4.0

Waller has a fantastic, extremely personal voice in each of his essays that comprise this book. Very, very good book, one that I am tempted to give to everyone I know. He treats a number of topics ranging from environmentalism to romance to childhood heroes to his daughter leaving home to an ode to his wife without sounding preaching or inapplicable. Waller is incredibly insightful and creates a lot of opportunity for thought and self-introspection. I teared up in 'A Waltz for Georgia Ann' and bawled in 'A Canticle for Roadcat'. There is a whole gamut of emotions to be experience through Waller's writing and I very much recommend this book.