wendoxford's review against another edition
4.0
The prodigal son is returning from missionary instruction in Utah feeling inadequate as he has baptized nobody in his 2 year mission. Following the day of his return, one by one we see the life of the rest of the family - the Church and their own heart-sink dilemmas we see everything poised to (inevitably) unravel on the night of Gary's return. A great read - inside the Mormon community and inside the heads of its variously mixed-up members. Recommend this
jessica_h's review against another edition
Gave up on this one at about 40%, so I gave it a good crack! I just didn't care about the plot or any of the characters. I didn't find it either interestingly or beautifully written, so I didn't want to stick around for the writing style either. The only thing reading over 100 pages of this made me want to do is to start watching 'Big Love' again. So, not a total waste of time I suppose!
fscolli93's review
emotional
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
3.5
helenh1975's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
sunnivamidt's review
4.0
A wonderfully written book that tells an intriguing story of a Mormon family that struggles with religious questions, love, family and friendship. The book is written in first person, continuously changing between the five members of the Leeke family, which gives the reader an interesting insight into all the characters and their relationship to their family and their Church. Recommended.
hey_laura_mc's review
3.0
All of the reviews on the cover dwell on how hilarious this books is - I completely missed the humour. A great premise not particularly well executed. Thin characters and -a highly unlikely combination of events. Meh.
emmkayt's review
5.0
I enjoyed this novel about a working-class Mormon family in Lancashire tremendously. It takes place during a single day (a Friday, per the title), during which the younger son, Gary, is returning home after two years as a missionary in Utah. The day's events and backstory are narrated by the various family members (their gospels?) - Gary himself; mum Pauline, who has a mysterious illness and had been hugely invested in the honour of having a son who's a missionary; dad Martin, anxious about finances and seeking solace in his dog and a fellow dog-lover; older son Julian, who seems a bit creepy; and teenage daughter Jeannie, grappling with a secret of her own and the weight of her religious upbringing.
The events as they unfold are perhaps not all that realistic, but it's wonderfully and compassionately told, properly funny-sad and kind to its protagonists. Interesting as well to learn some more about the LDS church, of which I knew little: not an uncritical view at all, but again a compassionate one.
The events as they unfold are perhaps not all that realistic, but it's wonderfully and compassionately told, properly funny-sad and kind to its protagonists. Interesting as well to learn some more about the LDS church, of which I knew little: not an uncritical view at all, but again a compassionate one.
bibliocesca's review
4.0
I absolutely adored this book. The quiet, steady craftfulness of the writing as it details a family in everyday chaos, the collision of self-delusion and lies alongside religious faith (or lack of) and the way that the multiple perspectives weaved the story and the characters closer together rather than casting them apart and interrupting the narrative. The people and the details feel so real and you can sense the weight of their issues on each of their shoulders. The voices differ clearly, but almost unnoticably, linking them together as family members, part of the same household and religious movement, willingly or otherwise.
I read The Accidental by Ali Smith last year and it reminded me strongly of that, but more personal and interconnected, grittier and more relatable and realistic, with each character’s perspective corroborating or contradicting another’s self-image.
A four star rating doesn’t feel enough for this book, but it didn’t quite have the awe factor of my five-star rated books. A solid 4.5, one of the most original novels I’ve ever read and something I’ll definitely come back to.
I read The Accidental by Ali Smith last year and it reminded me strongly of that, but more personal and interconnected, grittier and more relatable and realistic, with each character’s perspective corroborating or contradicting another’s self-image.
A four star rating doesn’t feel enough for this book, but it didn’t quite have the awe factor of my five-star rated books. A solid 4.5, one of the most original novels I’ve ever read and something I’ll definitely come back to.
birdleaf's review
3.0
Was gonna give this two stars but the ending really pulled it up and together.
Was hoping to have fully psychoanalysed Julian by the end of it- he seemed autistic in some places what with his sensory and socialising issues, and psychopathic in others, which rubbed me the wrong way because autistic people really don’t need painting in an evil light, but maybe he has both?? Who knows. Loved Pauline’s arc, though, and Jeannie’s.
edit:
Was hoping to have fully psychoanalysed Julian by the end of it- he seemed autistic in some places what with his sensory and socialising issues, and psychopathic in others, which rubbed me the wrong way because autistic people really don’t need painting in an evil light, but maybe he has both?? Who knows. Loved Pauline’s arc, though, and Jeannie’s.
edit:
Spoiler
just realised about a few hours post read and thinking about how good a twist of lewis being drake was, that the conversation drake was having in julians first chapter was with jeannie. REALLY good bit of foreshadowing….anjap's review
4.0
Great beginning; the ending is a bit over the top; all in all a very enjoyable read.
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