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kdmr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
lana_denise's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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
The writing style of this book is pebble in my shoe, good lord. Sometimes Burke would drop an absolute pearl that had me gasping, and sometimes he was describing a background character “straight dark mop of hair” for the tenth time.
Look, I won’t pretend this book was incredibly well written, or had incredibly vivid characters. I honestly feel like a lot of them could have been cut (like the youngest sibling, for example). For a while this looked like a bleak 2 star book for me, and that was being generous.
But the way Coyle and Willie’s relationship developed over the years single-handedly saved this book for me. It was so messy and confusing and real. That final reveal with the motorcycle? Please, I audibly gasped.
Not the world’s best book, but the world’s best brothers. Overall, a poignant but incredibly unsubtle novel on the dynamics of family and class.
Look, I won’t pretend this book was incredibly well written, or had incredibly vivid characters. I honestly feel like a lot of them could have been cut (like the youngest sibling, for example). For a while this looked like a bleak 2 star book for me, and that was being generous.
But the way Coyle and Willie’s relationship developed over the years single-handedly saved this book for me. It was so messy and confusing and real. That final reveal with the motorcycle? Please, I audibly gasped.
Not the world’s best book, but the world’s best brothers. Overall, a poignant but incredibly unsubtle novel on the dynamics of family and class.
thebookishmel's review against another edition
3.0
Happy Release Day to The Brother Years - out TODAY Aug 4th!
This was great, don't get me wrong, but it just isn't MY style of book. However, there were so many incredible things that came with this that I think readers may like.
The family in this story is so incredibly dynamic and static at the same time... it's odd to say, I know. We see the most growth from Coyle and Willie. Coyle being the oldest of four, is kind of the golden child, so when things don't exactly stay golden (no pun intended), there's definite tension in the family. Willie is kind of a brat for quite some time, but his age is played up very well as the overshadowed middle child. Fergus is ABSOLUTELY hilarious, and Maddy is just trying to be such a lil peace keeper :')
I would've loved to see more from the younger siblings, but sadly, the story deals more with the older brothers, their relationship, and especially, their relationship with this father.
If you are a character driven reader, this book is definitely for you! I found myself a bit bored because I'm more plot driven, and it feels like this was kind of sporadic in the time jumps and more than I'd like. However, it is a quick read and a great character study and exploration of them!
Overall, a solid read.
This was great, don't get me wrong, but it just isn't MY style of book. However, there were so many incredible things that came with this that I think readers may like.
The family in this story is so incredibly dynamic and static at the same time... it's odd to say, I know. We see the most growth from Coyle and Willie. Coyle being the oldest of four, is kind of the golden child, so when things don't exactly stay golden (no pun intended), there's definite tension in the family. Willie is kind of a brat for quite some time, but his age is played up very well as the overshadowed middle child. Fergus is ABSOLUTELY hilarious, and Maddy is just trying to be such a lil peace keeper :')
I would've loved to see more from the younger siblings, but sadly, the story deals more with the older brothers, their relationship, and especially, their relationship with this father.
If you are a character driven reader, this book is definitely for you! I found myself a bit bored because I'm more plot driven, and it feels like this was kind of sporadic in the time jumps and more than I'd like. However, it is a quick read and a great character study and exploration of them!
Overall, a solid read.
universaltigerkingdom's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There are elements of the TV show “The Goldbergs” here - but leavened with Prince of Tides. The story examines the life and class struggles of a family seeking to elevate itself… but there is very little plot to speak of.
afreeby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cat_m97's review against another edition
3.0
Accessed via NetGalley.
I've been trying to figure out how I feel about this book since finishing it a few days ago, but I think my final review is 3.5/5 stars.
The Brennan family felt so real in this story I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with them as I tore through the book. Characters and events took such a hold on the story that I began to question whether this novel was a memoir or a work of fiction. I think I would have rated it higher as a memoir; the story covers such a relentless onslaught of emotional and physical distress for Willie that I found myself dying for a resolution, but not wanting to read more of the constant family fights. I have to admit that it probably didn't help reading this in the same month I read Tara Westover's memoir, Educated.
Willie's constant struggle with his family relationships and the never ending fights with his brother mean that it's almost impossible not to side with the kid, but in siding with him, I naturally craved a resolution to the divide between Willie and Coyle.
The ending of this novel left so much to be desired that I could not rate it higher than I have, despite the fact that the novel had me hooked on the Brennan family. The hardships they faced and the frustration I felt reading this novel warrant a final resolution, one that focuses on the complex relationships in the novel. The novel feels so painfully real, with no respite, that I wanted it to be a memoir to be more enjoyable.
That being said, I cannot stop thinking about this family and their sense of unity, despite it being peppered with both petty and serious disagreements. The Brennans will stay living in my head for some time, whether I want them to or not.
I've been trying to figure out how I feel about this book since finishing it a few days ago, but I think my final review is 3.5/5 stars.
The Brennan family felt so real in this story I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with them as I tore through the book. Characters and events took such a hold on the story that I began to question whether this novel was a memoir or a work of fiction. I think I would have rated it higher as a memoir; the story covers such a relentless onslaught of emotional and physical distress for Willie that I found myself dying for a resolution, but not wanting to read more of the constant family fights. I have to admit that it probably didn't help reading this in the same month I read Tara Westover's memoir, Educated.
Willie's constant struggle with his family relationships and the never ending fights with his brother mean that it's almost impossible not to side with the kid, but in siding with him, I naturally craved a resolution to the divide between Willie and Coyle.
The ending of this novel left so much to be desired that I could not rate it higher than I have, despite the fact that the novel had me hooked on the Brennan family. The hardships they faced and the frustration I felt reading this novel warrant a final resolution, one that focuses on the complex relationships in the novel. The novel feels so painfully real, with no respite, that I wanted it to be a memoir to be more enjoyable.
That being said, I cannot stop thinking about this family and their sense of unity, despite it being peppered with both petty and serious disagreements. The Brennans will stay living in my head for some time, whether I want them to or not.
motleybooksandtea's review against another edition
2.5
This book was not at all what I expected, but it was enjoyable as it was. This novel encapsulates the years that Willie Brennan, the narrator, lives at home with his siblings. It shows the depths of sibling rivalries, struggles of the working class, and the drive for perfection.
I had trouble liking some of the main characters. By the end of the novel I was pleased and had 'warm feelings,' I really struggled with a few events earlier in the novel.
I had trouble liking some of the main characters. By the end of the novel I was pleased and had 'warm feelings,' I really struggled with a few events earlier in the novel.
wdsquared's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the grit and honesty of growing up in a family with tough love. I am so glad I stumbled on this coming of age tale.
philosophie's review against another edition
3.0
Η παράλληλη παρακολούθηση του Succession ενδέχεται να αποτελεί συνθήκη ανάγνωσης ιδανική.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.