lak98's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ekua33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
evandoro's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
honey_badjem's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
emmavani's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful novella. I only wish I had read it around Christmas. I read one review that referred to this as a "feminist retelling of A Christmas Carol." It certainly felt Dickensian, but to be honest I didn't notice any overtly feminist themes. Themes I did notice: what makes someone family, altriusm, rags to riches, longing. Bill Furlough seemed to exist on this spectrum of gratitude-for-what-he-has to longing-for-what-might-be that I thought was beautiful and relatable.
I also learned about the Magdalen Laundromats, which I'd never heard of. This book didn't seem expressly critical of the catholic church, or even of the nuns running the laundromat/asylum who had perfectly lovely interactions with Bill. But it did make it clear that him taking the girl away to anywhere else was giving her a better life, and it inspired me to learn a bit about the history of them.
I also learned about the Magdalen Laundromats, which I'd never heard of. This book didn't seem expressly critical of the catholic church, or even of the nuns running the laundromat/asylum who had perfectly lovely interactions with Bill. But it did make it clear that him taking the girl away to anywhere else was giving her a better life, and it inspired me to learn a bit about the history of them.
jackieeh's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely incredible (and wholly credible) picture of the ways our little lives butt up against (slash depend on) the abject horror just off stage, and the courage it takes to step off piste.
fifinlayson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
stephenl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maudiejh's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ellabooray's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75