kindlelover1932's review against another edition
4.0
sometimes slow but the characters are compelling and i liked piecing the overarching storyline together.
amandabeata's review
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
suprememummy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
fa1threads_'s review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
upon finishing: "damn. that was good."
sonjbean's review against another edition
5.0
When a wave breaks, the water is not moving. The swell has travelled great distances but only the energy is moving, not the water. Perhaps time moves through us and not us through it. The past is in us, and not behind us. Things are never over.
tim winton is actually a genius. i feel like he understands so many things that i will just never even come close to?
the way he uses language to tell you even the most inane things is sometimes literally breathtaking.
also, i'm totally going to brag for a second and post this photo of when i got to meet him last weekend. he is a really cool person and, considering how insanely popular he is, refreshingly free from any pretension.
tim winton is actually a genius. i feel like he understands so many things that i will just never even come close to?
the way he uses language to tell you even the most inane things is sometimes literally breathtaking.
also, i'm totally going to brag for a second and post this photo of when i got to meet him last weekend. he is a really cool person and, considering how insanely popular he is, refreshingly free from any pretension.
ahrya's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
wendoxford's review
4.0
My second reading of this book. My first reading was a first encounter with place being the main character and the stories layering up to give substance.
I recognised the same thing this time but also saw how deftly Winton puts the pieces together from multiple perspectives, playing around majestically with time period, perspective, different memory against the colossal Australian backdrop.
The reader does have to work. Each episode requires a reset for who is doing the telling, how the character, town and time fit into the larger picture. I loved this layering up and pulling apart. The whole book completely carried by Winton's extraordinary spare writing. His sharp focus on small details and a recognition that his readers can carry the story by what is unsaid as much as what is said.
I recognised the same thing this time but also saw how deftly Winton puts the pieces together from multiple perspectives, playing around majestically with time period, perspective, different memory against the colossal Australian backdrop.
The reader does have to work. Each episode requires a reset for who is doing the telling, how the character, town and time fit into the larger picture. I loved this layering up and pulling apart. The whole book completely carried by Winton's extraordinary spare writing. His sharp focus on small details and a recognition that his readers can carry the story by what is unsaid as much as what is said.