calliefost's review against another edition
4.0
“because to aspire, to fall in love, to stumble as we do and yet soldier on, at some level we must believe that what we are going through has never been experienced quite as we have experienced”
much to love about this, like the writing… but also much to be desired. especially with sally but also with ulysses, the professor, and weirdly also the pastor? i fucking hated duchess oh my gosh. also, never a fan of blunt, in your face literary symbolism like all the abraham lincoln stuff and everything about woolly’s character… very cheesy
much to love about this, like the writing… but also much to be desired. especially with sally but also with ulysses, the professor, and weirdly also the pastor? i fucking hated duchess oh my gosh. also, never a fan of blunt, in your face literary symbolism like all the abraham lincoln stuff and everything about woolly’s character… very cheesy
hthill25's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Great story about many different relationships. I enjoyed the characters and the first person perspective from all of them. This is one that would make a great movie, if done right.
debsfield's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful, just a totally stunning book and what all stories should be. I loved Gentleman in Moscow but it took me a while to get into it. This one grabbed me and pulled me in from page one. The characters are flawed but trying to find their way, there are escapades and adventures and tenderness and heartbreak. It's like breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one book. I adore it. Tiny niggle is the lack of female characters and development (Sally is a good attempt but not nearly enough) but the rest of it is stunning.
lianamathias's review against another edition
5.0
5 GIANT STARS. A true saga of multiple heroes and beautiful writing.
soderick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hizertj's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ssteinbr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
imsipple1205's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
haysx5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-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
4.25
hannahmuldavin's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed this book and read it relatively fast for a longer novel. It is definitely me least favorite of Towle’s three books. I found the character we spend the most time with — Emmett, to be the most boring and therefore doesn’t lend itself to Toe’s fun writing style. I do love the way Towle’s writes though, and think he is able to keep a journey and even the more mundane actions of a character really exciting. There are some fun tropes and metaphors. This was a delightful read. Not the best thing I’ve ever read, but a solid novel from a solid author who is still one of my favorites. I wish we spent more time with some of the female characters.