michellekmartin's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up because I read, and loved, Very Nice by Marcy Dermansky two summers ago and I wanted to read more of her work.
Leah's former menter, Judy, dies tragically and leaves Leah her red car. The shock of this forces Leah to re-evaluate her whole life (she's in her early 30's). She upends everything she knows and goes to the west coast for Judy's wake. She ends up reuniting with old friends and coworkers and making some realizations about what she wants to do and who she is.
This book was such a quick read. I love Dermansky's writing style and the wit and humor that she brings to her stories. This particular book also had a touch of magic, much in the way that Murakami weaves magical realism into his work. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Leah's former menter, Judy, dies tragically and leaves Leah her red car. The shock of this forces Leah to re-evaluate her whole life (she's in her early 30's). She upends everything she knows and goes to the west coast for Judy's wake. She ends up reuniting with old friends and coworkers and making some realizations about what she wants to do and who she is.
This book was such a quick read. I love Dermansky's writing style and the wit and humor that she brings to her stories. This particular book also had a touch of magic, much in the way that Murakami weaves magical realism into his work. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
angiesix's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this book based on the story. Literary fiction featuring contemporary women who grow and overcome difficulties is my genre of choice. Instead of falling in love with the book, I found myself slogging through it, putting it down and not wanting to pick it back up. The downfall of The Red Car, for me, was the way the dialogue was written. I don't need characters to speak in dialect, but I do need them to speak naturally. I couldn't get over the stilted dialogue, the lack of contractions, and the overall stiff and unnatural way the characters spoke to each other. It was a waterfall effect: because I couldn't connect with the characters through their speech, I couldn't connect with them on any level, which left me not caring or believing in any of them. Other reviewers seem to adore the book, so perhaps this is just a writing style that doesn't suit my tastes but appeals to another group of readers.
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
2.0
All I can say after reading this novel is "huh?". I thought this was going somewhere, maybe something mysterious/magical with the car, but nope. I might have enjoyed this with a real narrative. The style is easy and comfortable to read.
lilyprimeaux's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“i was hungry.”
Although this book did not necessarily reach its full potential, (and oddly had quite a few typos), It still managed to reel me in and keep me hooked. I found that the novel, in its essence, portrayed a refreshing tribute to the innate female hunger. The constant need for bigger and better, not knowing exactly when satisfaction will be met, and yet pursuing the thought of fulfillment even if it means relinquishing every ounce of security that one has. The protagonist proves reckless and impulsive, with little care as to how her actions affect others, only taking occasional precautions so as not to find herself in trouble.
Although this book did not necessarily reach its full potential, (and oddly had quite a few typos), It still managed to reel me in and keep me hooked. I found that the novel, in its essence, portrayed a refreshing tribute to the innate female hunger. The constant need for bigger and better, not knowing exactly when satisfaction will be met, and yet pursuing the thought of fulfillment even if it means relinquishing every ounce of security that one has. The protagonist proves reckless and impulsive, with little care as to how her actions affect others, only taking occasional precautions so as not to find herself in trouble.
agmaynard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spare and excellent! Feeling numb, feeling stuck, feeling grief. And the red car plays its part.
ellemmm3's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I'm not sure I'm the right reader for The Red Car. It was a very quick read and while I found myself wanting to continue to read to see how it all turned out for the protagonist, I was disappointed that it didn't "turn out" at all. There was no real conclusion to the story, it just kind of meandered on until it just ended.
I'm not sure I'm the right reader for The Red Car. It was a very quick read and while I found myself wanting to continue to read to see how it all turned out for the protagonist, I was disappointed that it didn't "turn out" at all. There was no real conclusion to the story, it just kind of meandered on until it just ended.