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pagesandpurls's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mooncrab's review against another edition
3.0
A light, fun, nonsensical read. I loved reading a story set in Nelson, BC, and the author’s love for the place comes through in her storytelling. The writing was juvenile and the plot line often felt like something I’d have read as a young teen (minus the weed themes). Also, cannabis has been legal in Canada since this book’s publication in early 2017, so it makes for a strange reading experience… reminiscing on days of nosy neighbours and huge neighbourhood grow-op busts. I’d been curious about this book for a long time so am glad to have read it, but I wouldn’t really say it is a must-read for anyone.
universalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
What a read! Gone to Pot was charmingly clever, witty, and full to bursting with laugh out loud situational humor. Even better, there was some real depth in the narrative - from allusions to euthanasia, philosophical ramblings about morality versus legality, and out right ageism - and I learnt a lot about my own preconceptions about "older" people.
To that effect, I think the author achieved a wonderful balance between pointing out preconceptions about what it means to age, and misconceptions about what it means to be young. Jess, the protagonist, for instance, made assumptions about the young people helping her with her illegal hobby that turn out to be as incorrect as the assumptions that Jess's daughter-in-law made about her. This balance removed some of the condescension that aggravates me (as a young person) from narratives of this nature.
Also. The cast of characters are well developed, diverse, and refreshingly relatable.
The only criticisms I would make is that the novel only brushed the surface of the morality versus legality debate when it comes to marijuana. Jess thinks various philosophical thoughts to that effect but its nit fully developed in a satisfying way.
Oh. And, that being involved in something illegal (whether or not you believe that action is morally defensible) is ultimately worth the risk. This seems like a one-sided argument.
Ultimately, this is a quirky, humorous and fun read that is definitely worth the time invested.
To that effect, I think the author achieved a wonderful balance between pointing out preconceptions about what it means to age, and misconceptions about what it means to be young. Jess, the protagonist, for instance, made assumptions about the young people helping her with her illegal hobby that turn out to be as incorrect as the assumptions that Jess's daughter-in-law made about her. This balance removed some of the condescension that aggravates me (as a young person) from narratives of this nature.
Also. The cast of characters are well developed, diverse, and refreshingly relatable.
The only criticisms I would make is that the novel only brushed the surface of the morality versus legality debate when it comes to marijuana. Jess thinks various philosophical thoughts to that effect but its nit fully developed in a satisfying way.
Oh. And, that being involved in something illegal (whether or not you believe that action is morally defensible) is ultimately worth the risk. This seems like a one-sided argument.
Ultimately, this is a quirky, humorous and fun read that is definitely worth the time invested.
lovinghershelf's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, short, simple, uncomplicated. A few laughs. I loved that this book was set in the charming town of Nelson, BC. This book won’t rock your world or change your life - but it will charm you and make you smile. I mean, who doesn’t love a cannabis-growing granny?
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
This is either a clever, cute book about an older woman making it in a world where they are not respected, and it is hard to find traditional work, or else this is a manual on how to grow pot in your basement. I haven't quite decided which.
The story takes place in Nelson, BC, and follows what happens to Jess, an older woman, when she loses her waitressing job because the cafe she worked at burned down. The author is basing a lot of Jess's background on her own background, which is fun, because it does make her a more interesting character. From the amount of detail that is put into the book about how to do a grow, it makes it sound as though she has done quite a bit of research on the matter.
The people in the book are realistic. The town, which is real, is described quite well, and even though I don't feel like growing pot in my basement, I enjoyed the trails and tribulations of doing so. I loved her group of friends, and feel that it is important to have stories where we see the sorts of problems that older women go through.
Not quite sure who would enjoy the book. It isn't YA. It is being marketed as general fiction, but I think it is more women's fiction. Quick read. It is somewhere between a three and a half and a four star.
Thanks to Netgalley and Second Story Press for making this book available for an honest review.
The story takes place in Nelson, BC, and follows what happens to Jess, an older woman, when she loses her waitressing job because the cafe she worked at burned down. The author is basing a lot of Jess's background on her own background, which is fun, because it does make her a more interesting character. From the amount of detail that is put into the book about how to do a grow, it makes it sound as though she has done quite a bit of research on the matter.
The people in the book are realistic. The town, which is real, is described quite well, and even though I don't feel like growing pot in my basement, I enjoyed the trails and tribulations of doing so. I loved her group of friends, and feel that it is important to have stories where we see the sorts of problems that older women go through.
Not quite sure who would enjoy the book. It isn't YA. It is being marketed as general fiction, but I think it is more women's fiction. Quick read. It is somewhere between a three and a half and a four star.
Thanks to Netgalley and Second Story Press for making this book available for an honest review.
juliakoko's review against another edition
1.0
This is part of a pile of Evergreen Award Nominee books a colleague gave me, but I didn’t love it. I thought parts of it were entertaining, but others dragged on while the ending was rushed. It all wrapped up so fast. I had a hard time feeling any sort of way for any character because there was little development. All that being said, I can’t say I’ve read a book with a similar plot before!
mactammonty's review against another edition
2.0
The ending was to neat and tidy. It is very much like watching a hallmark movie. That is not a bad thing. It is good on a cold,snowy day.
mrsmdavidson's review against another edition
5.0
I loved reading a book about a protagonist who wasn't a perfect 20 something go getter. Like other books ai must unconsciously seek out, this book knit together a "family" of people who were not related, and it was wonderful.
diannel_04's review against another edition
3.0
Jess is a 64 year old granny who works asa waitress until the restaurant burns down. With no one willing to hire someone her age her former co-worker, Swan, convinces her to start a grow-op in her basement. A friend of Swan's, Marcus, help get it all started and does the selling of the dope.
In between Jess meets with a group of ladies called "The Crones" who remind me of the Lovely Library Ladies group I meet from Yorkville Library. But I digress. Jess ' son figures out what she's doing almost immediately and. bless him, says nothing. He even tells his uptight wife, Amy, where to go when she figures it out and wants to call the police and cut Jess off from her grandchildren.
In the end, by adding a secret ingredient, Jess makes enough money to open a tea room where her friends, the Crones, work part time as bakers and wait staff. Their specialty is brownies with a certain herb in them.
A fun summer read.
In between Jess meets with a group of ladies called "The Crones" who remind me of the Lovely Library Ladies group I meet from Yorkville Library. But I digress. Jess ' son figures out what she's doing almost immediately and. bless him, says nothing. He even tells his uptight wife, Amy, where to go when she figures it out and wants to call the police and cut Jess off from her grandchildren.
In the end, by adding a secret ingredient, Jess makes enough money to open a tea room where her friends, the Crones, work part time as bakers and wait staff. Their specialty is brownies with a certain herb in them.
A fun summer read.