alohomara's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
colleencalello's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
decembermagpie's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
cher_n_books's review
2.0
2.5 stars - It was alright, an average book.
Started strong at the start, but Oksana grew up too quickly and then the story was a slog. The abrupt forward jumps in time made everything feel too segmented and created a disconnect between the reader and the characters. A book about Baba, Oksana's grandmother, would have been far more fascinating I suspect.
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First Sentence: After I asked what America would be like, my grandmother sighed philosophically and released a mouthful of smoke out the passenger window.
Started strong at the start, but Oksana grew up too quickly and then the story was a slog. The abrupt forward jumps in time made everything feel too segmented and created a disconnect between the reader and the characters. A book about Baba, Oksana's grandmother, would have been far more fascinating I suspect.
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First Sentence: After I asked what America would be like, my grandmother sighed philosophically and released a mouthful of smoke out the passenger window.
qdove's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tobyyy's review
3.0
2.5/5 stars, rounded up.
I’ll be honest. This book has no plot. It’s 100% character-driven, each chapter a vignette from a different part of Oksana’s life, in chronological order. Sometimes the vignettes occur within a year of each other, other times there are huge gaps and huge events that occurred between chapters (such as the death of a family member and the birth of another).
The writing isn’t bad and the characters do feel very real. But if you’re looking for a book with a plot, this is not for you.
I’ll be honest. This book has no plot. It’s 100% character-driven, each chapter a vignette from a different part of Oksana’s life, in chronological order. Sometimes the vignettes occur within a year of each other, other times there are huge gaps and huge events that occurred between chapters (such as the death of a family member and the birth of another).
The writing isn’t bad and the characters do feel very real. But if you’re looking for a book with a plot, this is not for you.
anneke_b's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, Oksana was annoying at times, but I found her charming over all, really struggling being a daughter to an immigrant family. Trying to live up to expectations, and finding her own way in the USA.
Just wonder how autobiographical this book is...
Just wonder how autobiographical this book is...
ljhanes's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
leawyo's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good audio experience but I just never got deep enough into the story to be moved. A relatively short book to pack a whole lifetime into. But had funny parts and sweet parts.