omardfoda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kdhanda's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book and the style of writing. The book is comprised of a series of passages and, bit by bit, the past unfolds. This is mostly about a mother daughter relationships though there are the tangential relationships with the father, the husband and the siblings.
A quick read but still disturbing. The underlying themes are poverty and abuse. The former is presented in detail but the latter is barely hinted at, which makes it even more sinister.
The writer mentions the influence of Sarah Payne, who taught her how to hone her writing. Is this a real person? Also, am wondering if the book is a bit about Strout herself.
Favorite passage: "It interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person... it's the lowest part of who we are, this need to put someone else down."
A quick read but still disturbing. The underlying themes are poverty and abuse. The former is presented in detail but the latter is barely hinted at, which makes it even more sinister.
The writer mentions the influence of Sarah Payne, who taught her how to hone her writing. Is this a real person? Also, am wondering if the book is a bit about Strout herself.
Favorite passage: "It interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person... it's the lowest part of who we are, this need to put someone else down."
maidmee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
readsbyw's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lisakerd's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed parts of, and the idea of, this book, but this novella was really only a shell of the meatier story I was hoping for. Also, Strout’s writing is at times stilted and comes off as pretentious.
gallag's review against another edition
1.0
Did not care for this writing style. Very disjointed and left me wondering every time it switched topics.
korttipakka's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emmams's review against another edition
4.0
A delicate deep dive into Lucy’s trauma, history, and its impact on her life and relationships through the lens of a few weeks in a New York hospital room. In a series of disconnected stories prompted by her sudden reunion with her mother, Lucy reflects on motherhood and daughterhood and the way she connects to the world.
pearamour's review against another edition
No real plot…no depth to the characters….just rambling memories.