Reviews

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell

jnl_dayton's review against another edition

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5.0

Lovely. I thought about this a lot and couldn't wait to get back to the book. I must say that Daniel annoyed me (but drunks always do). Claudette was fascinating as was the house/family in Ireland. Interesting the way the story was told, each chapter from a different character's viewpoint -- and some were very minor and never reappeared -- and each jumped around in time, but fascinating and kept my interest. I will have to read some of her other books.

donnapontehampton's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5, too much angst. I don't like when two people are obviously in love but too stupid to fix things.

danap_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 stars Daniel and Claudette meet in the most unusual circumstances. Both come with baggage and secrets and ex-spouses and children with those ex-spouses. What follows is the most lovely and unconventional story of love, family and the events that shape our lives. Told as a series of vignettes over a period of twenty-five years, this is story of identity and isolation, of the people in our lives who make and break us, and ultimately, the process of redemption. At times quirky and heartbreaking, This Must be the Place is an exploration of the relationships that make us who we are. It is exquisite.

medb_11's review against another edition

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

dcole207's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5, but rounded up. And it’s not that this book isn’t good, it’s just that her newer work is richer in depth and story.

shhh_tamis_reading's review against another edition

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emotional relaxing sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

woobat's review against another edition

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4.0

A story of a complicated family with flawed but interesting characters who I cared about and rooted for. The structure is like a puzzle box and I appreciated the craft, but the jumps in perspective were a bit much for me.

painausten314's review against another edition

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emotional

4.0

I love it when a non-linear timeline is done well.

simea's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

stevmwhite's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75