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books_and_breaks's review against another edition
1.0
Riveting? Nope. Read 30 pages, then skip read another 30, but couldn't find anything redeemable or worth staying on for.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
Great characters. Thoughtful ending. I liked this.
happylilkt's review against another edition
3.0
The 3-star review is a challenge. Would I recommend this book? probably not. Am I glad I read it? yes, but—
And the "but" is everything.
Occasionally, the reader encounters a protagonist that is unappealing or even hateful. Lizzie could be that for most (though not for me—there were elements of her personality that I share, though thankfully not specific behaviors!)
There is nothing graphic, but some of the subject matter & language is more mature, which is another reason I probably wouldn't recommend it.
Lastly, while the writing is good and the literary allusions are fun, the characterization and general artistic quality is not strong.
And the "but" is everything.
Occasionally, the reader encounters a protagonist that is unappealing or even hateful. Lizzie could be that for most (though not for me—there were elements of her personality that I share, though thankfully not specific behaviors!)
There is nothing graphic, but some of the subject matter & language is more mature, which is another reason I probably wouldn't recommend it.
Lastly, while the writing is good and the literary allusions are fun, the characterization and general artistic quality is not strong.
abbeyhar103's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't put this book down, but it didn't do much for me. I really wanted to like it because of Nancy Pearl, aka NPR resident librarian and book recommender.
libwinnie's review against another edition
1.0
I tried really hard to like it, because, come on, it's NANCY PEARL! But I just couldn't--the writing was stilted and self-conscious and there was far too much telling and far too little showing.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I had mixed emotions while reading about George and Lizzie. While there are some funny lines and funny situations, I found Lizzie hard to care about. As the child of famous psychology professors (at Michigan no less) who had no idea how to love a child, I can understand how she got to be so prickly but once she had a lovely relationship with kind and patient George, it took her too long to grow up and get over herself. Those who understand and enjoy football will get a kick (haha) out of the football interludes. I read the digital ARC to be published in September.
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
Finding some great lines in this book!
Pg 61, of a distant relative: "There were so many letters going out that Mina had a separate line in her monthly household budget for stationery and stamps."
Pg 95, of one of the many starting football players: "Everyone thought he'd go to Harvard, but he didn't. He got a free and full ride to Earlham, in Indiana, where he became a Quaker, majored in sociology, and wrote forcefully in alternative newspapers about the intertwining of football and violence, to the great detriment of football."
Pg 61, of a distant relative: "There were so many letters going out that Mina had a separate line in her monthly household budget for stationery and stamps."
Pg 95, of one of the many starting football players: "Everyone thought he'd go to Harvard, but he didn't. He got a free and full ride to Earlham, in Indiana, where he became a Quaker, majored in sociology, and wrote forcefully in alternative newspapers about the intertwining of football and violence, to the great detriment of football."
bea_knee's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Whole book could be summed up with, "who asked?"
You have to make me WONDER what makes the character the way they are before making the whole book about why they are the way they are. There was no discernable plot that I could see, just kind of a history of a married couple all out of order. There was nothing interesting enough to warrant a whole book, I kept thinking this should just be a family history reference, I have no reason to be reading this. The writing style was rather lovely in general, but overall neither the plot nor the characters were compelling enough to draw me in.
You have to make me WONDER what makes the character the way they are before making the whole book about why they are the way they are. There was no discernable plot that I could see, just kind of a history of a married couple all out of order. There was nothing interesting enough to warrant a whole book, I kept thinking this should just be a family history reference, I have no reason to be reading this. The writing style was rather lovely in general, but overall neither the plot nor the characters were compelling enough to draw me in.
heidisreads's review against another edition
4.0
With characters you might just meet in your neighborhood, this story of friendship, and the growing pains of love and relationships will leave you thinking about your new neighbors even after the book is finished.
Received ARC from Netgalley.
Received ARC from Netgalley.