Scan barcode
paroof's review against another edition
4.0
Sad, haunting story that follows an object, an accordian, rather than a person, through time. It chronicles amazingly well the triumphs and tribulations of generations as they struggle to make their way.
ruthcoolidge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am simply stunned by how excellent Annie Proulx's research game is. This is historical fiction that reads like a firsthand account. It shies away from nothing and glorifies nothing but the resilience of a 100 year old accordion and I love that about it. It is also so, so full of horrors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide
mcwv's review against another edition
2.0
Yes, the writing has all you'd want from Proulx. Beyond that, if you're looking for music, look elsewhere. Nothing good happens, everything comes to bad ends. Thought of giving it up many imes, but it was all I had in my travel bag.
sarahwiltshire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A fascinating telling of the immigrant experience told in an original way. Annie Proulx is such a brilliant writer of characters - the series of stories worked well for me.
ocurtsinger's review against another edition
3.0
If Moby Dick had been written about a small green accordion rather than a gigantic white whale, it would have been this book. I'm not sure if we would be hailing it as a classic of great American literature, but it definitely carries the same type of sprawling storyline and the same magnificent amount of details and lushness in its people and places. It works better in some places than others; Proulx seems to write her best when she's not extending herself too far into historical fiction or a setting she's not familiar with. Overall worth reading for its grand scope and its view of America and immigrants through the eyes of a musical instrument.
melohpa's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't care for this as it is not a novel but a collection of short stories, which no matter how hard I try are just not my thing. See my complete review here
http://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/04/accordion-crimes-by-e.html
http://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/04/accordion-crimes-by-e.html
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
4.0
I so very nearly gave this book five stars. That I didn't is mainly a reflection of how harsh a marker I am; I look at the very few titles I've awarded five stars to, and I have to say this isn't quite as good. But saying that is still saying a lot. This book is moving, and very very real. It's the first time I read Proulx, but it won't be the last. Her prose is beautiful, and the structure of the book is genius. By following a little green accordion through the stories of its successive owners, the book actually tells the story of immigrants of every stripe through America's history, and in fact, thereby, the story of America itself. When I heard the premise, I thought it sounded essentially like a collection of short stories, but it manages while having an ever-changing cast of characters to be a novel in a very real way. Discovering how is one of the many joys of this book; I would recommend it to anyone who likes their fiction gritty-real but breathless-beautiful.