pixiebell_reads87's review against another edition
5.0
This was not what I was expecting...it was better
lainibop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
calcitestar's review against another edition
5.0
A very wierd but riveting book full of mystery, supernatural beings, an old man and a persist woman. Once in a while there's a memorable book. This is one of them.
zogg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
madiswanreads's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alibi313's review against another edition
4.0
Really lovely writing, an intriguing story tinged with a bit of mysticism. Just sort of petered out at the end; didn’t completely hit it out of the park, but still an enjoyable read.
irish_bookfairy's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first time I've read something by Jess Kidd. I saw it in the bookstore, loved the title and the description just turned it into a sure sale for me.
Our main character is Maud Drennan, a social worker, assigned with helping the elderly Cathal Flood in his hoarders' house. All she has to do is clean up a bit and make him a hot meal every day. It all sounds simple enough were it not for Mr. Cathal being a typical old person with the typical grumpiness but with the hoarding as a bonus. Maud is only allowed to enter certain rooms and the stairway is blocked by a wall of National Geographics. While cleaning certain things reveal themselves to Maud and secrets start unraveling.
The moment I started the book, I loved it straight away. The way it was written but more so, the fact that Jess combines the natural with the supernatural, was what made me love it. Maud has the ability to see Saints and they help her in dealing with her own life. This results in Maud having normal conversations with people, while having to listen to the Saints sarcastic remarks and trying to keep a straight face.
For me the book was a total hit, making me want to read more of her books. Quirky conversations, a-typical characters, the presence of a sixth sense... yes, yes, yes, 1000 times yes!!
Our main character is Maud Drennan, a social worker, assigned with helping the elderly Cathal Flood in his hoarders' house. All she has to do is clean up a bit and make him a hot meal every day. It all sounds simple enough were it not for Mr. Cathal being a typical old person with the typical grumpiness but with the hoarding as a bonus. Maud is only allowed to enter certain rooms and the stairway is blocked by a wall of National Geographics. While cleaning certain things reveal themselves to Maud and secrets start unraveling.
The moment I started the book, I loved it straight away. The way it was written but more so, the fact that Jess combines the natural with the supernatural, was what made me love it. Maud has the ability to see Saints and they help her in dealing with her own life. This results in Maud having normal conversations with people, while having to listen to the Saints sarcastic remarks and trying to keep a straight face.
For me the book was a total hit, making me want to read more of her books. Quirky conversations, a-typical characters, the presence of a sixth sense... yes, yes, yes, 1000 times yes!!
suddenlyjamie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
cowdisease125's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently I'm reading Jess Kidd's catalogue backwards. Started with her latest book, Things in Jars and now that I've finished this I'll be moving onto Himself.
Not exactly relevant to my review but whatever, it's lockdown. Nothing is relevant any more.
So. Words and things about this book. It's bizarre. Funny. Bizarre again. Sad. Bizarre once more.
I like this author.
Not exactly relevant to my review but whatever, it's lockdown. Nothing is relevant any more.
So. Words and things about this book. It's bizarre. Funny. Bizarre again. Sad. Bizarre once more.
I like this author.
halcyon_rising's review
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Ik heb dit boek meegebracht van de bibliotheek omdat ik wel vond dat het eerste hoofdstuk een leuke sfeer en vertaling had, maar al snel bleek dat het toch niet het boek was dat ik dacht dat het was. Het wordt getagd als 'magical realism', dus soortgelijk aan Piranesi, maar voor mij is de laatste zoveel interessanter dan Het Huis van de Verzamelaar/The Hoarder, dat ik toch wel tot de conclusie moet komen dat ik mij miskeken/mislezen heb op dit boek en het niet in mijn tbr had moeten zetten. Altijd spijtig!
Ik heb dit boek meegebracht van de bibliotheek omdat ik wel vond dat het eerste hoofdstuk een leuke sfeer en vertaling had, maar al snel bleek dat het toch niet het boek was dat ik dacht dat het was. Het wordt getagd als 'magical realism', dus soortgelijk aan Piranesi, maar voor mij is de laatste zoveel interessanter dan Het Huis van de Verzamelaar/The Hoarder, dat ik toch wel tot de conclusie moet komen dat ik mij miskeken/mislezen heb op dit boek en het niet in mijn tbr had moeten zetten. Altijd spijtig!