piperbunny's review
1.0
This was a short story. There wasn't much of a character build up, I didn't feel like I knew these characters to care enough about them. The whole book felt a bit repetitive as if it was written on a certain format, the main character would tell the reader how she was feeling, then relay that same information to her love interest, rinse and repeat.
melaniebopp's review
4.0
Full review available here at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=9565
There are times when a story needs to be wrapped up, when there are too many loose ends floating around, and nothing makes sense. There are other times, though, where at the end of the book you are left wondering, and it is a good thing. Not everything is finished, and it doesn’t always need to be. Portrait of a Crossroads is like that - an open-ended story that just feels right.
A recent high school graduate, Annette Vargas is, like most teenagers, trying to figure out what to do next. Her father’s suicide the year before, and her discovery of his body, has Annette’s entire sense of self off-track - she is, quite simply, at a loss about the future.
And though she has considered women romantically before, she finds her newly-single neighbor endlessly fascinating...
There are times when a story needs to be wrapped up, when there are too many loose ends floating around, and nothing makes sense. There are other times, though, where at the end of the book you are left wondering, and it is a good thing. Not everything is finished, and it doesn’t always need to be. Portrait of a Crossroads is like that - an open-ended story that just feels right.
A recent high school graduate, Annette Vargas is, like most teenagers, trying to figure out what to do next. Her father’s suicide the year before, and her discovery of his body, has Annette’s entire sense of self off-track - she is, quite simply, at a loss about the future.
And though she has considered women romantically before, she finds her newly-single neighbor endlessly fascinating...
ktomp17's review
3.0
This was a short story that didn't have a lot of real depth to it. It was written in a style that made me think of an old school story, and it was well written. I just didn't find myself having a big connection with the characters. It was more superficial, and not solid. It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't my favorite.
annastarlight's review
3.0
After her father's suicide Annette doesn't know what to do with herself. She lives with her two brothers in a house next to a crossroads. Some day she becomes fascinated with her tattooed neighbour Sadie.
I think the message of Portrait of a Crossroads is good. You should follow your dreams and your own path, whatever that may be. But that's all what this novella seems to be - the sum of its message.
Ms Rand is good at describing things. I loved the setting, the way the entire world seems to be the sound of cars and planes and the six or so houses next to the crossroads. This strength turns into a flaw once the story starts moving. There continue to be descriptions, but I missed emotion or a driving force. There is barely any introspection, which is weird if the story is about a girl making a decision.
Portrait of a Crossroads mainly follows Annette's and Sadie's interactions or lack thereof. There is often a mention of a "comfortable silence", but as a reader I didn't find all the silences comforting at all. It didn't get much better when they started speaking though. The dialogue was stocky and repetitive. A quote (from an ARC - it might still change):
There is about.. one and a half erotic scene in the story. I'm glad Ms Rand stayed away from overly poetic language - they're pretty straightforward without being too graphic.
Recommended only for those enjoying morals in their stories or people that have recently lost someone and need something to get their spirits up. If you read for language itself, I'd pass Portrait of a Crossroads by.
I think the message of Portrait of a Crossroads is good. You should follow your dreams and your own path, whatever that may be. But that's all what this novella seems to be - the sum of its message.
Ms Rand is good at describing things. I loved the setting, the way the entire world seems to be the sound of cars and planes and the six or so houses next to the crossroads. This strength turns into a flaw once the story starts moving. There continue to be descriptions, but I missed emotion or a driving force. There is barely any introspection, which is weird if the story is about a girl making a decision.
Portrait of a Crossroads mainly follows Annette's and Sadie's interactions or lack thereof. There is often a mention of a "comfortable silence", but as a reader I didn't find all the silences comforting at all. It didn't get much better when they started speaking though. The dialogue was stocky and repetitive. A quote (from an ARC - it might still change):
"I think I want to go to Brock University," Annette said. "For concurrent education. I can be a teacher and it's... not too far." She rested her head on the back of the seat and glanced sideways at her.
"Good," Sadie said. "You should." She turned on the radio at a low volume and slipped her sunglasses into place again. "And you're right. It's not far."
There is about.. one and a half erotic scene in the story. I'm glad Ms Rand stayed away from overly poetic language - they're pretty straightforward without being too graphic.
Recommended only for those enjoying morals in their stories or people that have recently lost someone and need something to get their spirits up. If you read for language itself, I'd pass Portrait of a Crossroads by.
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