Reviews

La condizione by Jennifer Haigh

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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4.0

4 STARS

Wow, her third book and I STILL LOVE HER WRITING!!! It is an amazing story of a family that has been coming apart for years. When they discover their daughter Gwen has Turner's Syndrome - Frank retreats to science to cure his daughter and Paulette focuses on her appearance as if nothing is wrong. Billy their eldest son is distant and struggling with his sexuality as he is trying to date women but they are never enough for him. Scott the young rebel is married with children in Burbs and hating every minute of it. As the Holidays approach the McKotch family will either break or make it. Each family member has their own distinct voice and at times you find yourself loving and hating the same characters.

beccersboo's review against another edition

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2.0

I chose this book particularly because of the Turner's Syndrome angle. I was not expecting to have to endure chapter after chapter of the unraveling of one self-centered family member after another. The worst part is that Gwen (the character with Turner's Syndrome) was my least favorite character. Disappointed...

crlk's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a very interesting book.

islandkate763's review against another edition

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1.0

Boring. Gave it the 50 pages chance, didn't care about the characters at all.

mattyzmom's review against another edition

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3.0

The story was ok. It was nice the story was observed by the different people in the family. The story wasn't so out there. It could have been like reading about my own family.

melissakuzma's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book! It's a very detailed family story, and reminded me of Ann Tyler or We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates and even a little bit of The Corrections towards the end. Great read.

spahade's review against another edition

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2.0

I thought this book was way to long for the storyline. It never seemed to be "gripping" as it is labeled. The book could have been half as long and still might not have been enjoyable. Conveniently every single character had a great epiphany at the end and all was right with the world. The author doesn't give the readers enough credit to do get "it" and do any of the interpretation themselves.
I was disappointed because I really liked her book Mrs. Kimble.

lhutnyk's review against another edition

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emotional tense slow-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

3.25

janicerm79's review against another edition

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1.0

This book was a chore. I understand the need to have well-developed characters but I didn't find anything likable about any of the characters in this book. I need to have a vested interested in at least someone to want to stick with it.

amyma's review against another edition

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book. It's about a girl with Turner's Disease (the condition the title is referring to) and how her family reacts to it, but more than that it is about the condition of everyone in her (highly disfunctional) family. Each chapter takes you deeper into the life of each family member, mom, dad, two brothers and sister. I wish I hadn't finished it so quickly, read it, you'll enjoy it too!