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kmacpherson's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
bibliosonic's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written and entrancing. Too rated-R for my tastes.
devyleelee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
linscottjk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
acsaper's review against another edition
3.0
A tale of two lives? Two tales of a life? Two lives told twice as a single tale?
Fates and Furies could easily be described as a book about marriage. Or, a marriage. It could be a portrait of a young, wealthy, Floridian boy, cast out from his family for his romantic decisions and artistic pursuits. Or, a tale of a young woman, living in the shadows, fighting through her own trauma in a world designed to keep her talents a secret. It is both, and neither, and one in the same.
Told in two parts, I almost gave up on my first Groff book here towards the end of the first section - which, I worried would never end. Who is Lotto and why do I care? Because, frankly, I didn't. I wasn't connected to him as a character, didn't feel for him, didn't know if I should love him or hate him, envy him or pity him. There just, wasn't much to him. The narrative plugs along telling a life that isn't particularly fascinating or intriguing, even in the mundaneness (see, e.g., Meg Wolitzer who can turn the regular into a riveting tale).
And then, along comes Mathilde. The book cracks itself open in the second half, exploring the dark corners of, and ripping off the veils from Lotto's seemingly lovable world. Her secrets, her stories, her sacrifices, her scars all add a level to the book that took it from unbearable to rather interesting.
I don't think it's my favorite book I've read this year, but if you can stick out the first half, there's at least a series of sweet surprises around the corner that are worth hanging in for.
Fates and Furies could easily be described as a book about marriage. Or, a marriage. It could be a portrait of a young, wealthy, Floridian boy, cast out from his family for his romantic decisions and artistic pursuits. Or, a tale of a young woman, living in the shadows, fighting through her own trauma in a world designed to keep her talents a secret. It is both, and neither, and one in the same.
Told in two parts, I almost gave up on my first Groff book here towards the end of the first section - which, I worried would never end. Who is Lotto and why do I care? Because, frankly, I didn't. I wasn't connected to him as a character, didn't feel for him, didn't know if I should love him or hate him, envy him or pity him. There just, wasn't much to him. The narrative plugs along telling a life that isn't particularly fascinating or intriguing, even in the mundaneness (see, e.g., Meg Wolitzer who can turn the regular into a riveting tale).
And then, along comes Mathilde. The book cracks itself open in the second half, exploring the dark corners of, and ripping off the veils from Lotto's seemingly lovable world. Her secrets, her stories, her sacrifices, her scars all add a level to the book that took it from unbearable to rather interesting.
I don't think it's my favorite book I've read this year, but if you can stick out the first half, there's at least a series of sweet surprises around the corner that are worth hanging in for.
skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this is one book that I find difficult to review and rate. There were parts of the story and writing that were amazing and I certainly found the book engaging, but I can't say I loved it. In fact, there were parts that I really disliked a lot and the section that focused on Lotto (the husband) was just too long. I'm sure it was worse for me because I absolutely couldn't stand him. In fact, he made me sick. There are plenty of great books in which the author wants you to dislike one of the characters, and I'm fine with it. However, I don't think that was the intention here. I'd be interested to see what any of my Goodreads friends think about it, but nobody has read it yet.
joelletribbiani's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
casshaw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75