mateusjobim's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jessica22's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
_dunno_'s review against another edition
4.0
I was kind of inconsistent while reading Flesh and Blood (4 weeks, weekends only), so the ups and downs the book has (or so I think) might have to do a lot with that. It's hard to make a book unputdownable for almost 600 pages, but all in all I loved it. I loved certain characters, I despised others (isn't that what the family sagas are all about?), I loved Constantine's beach house, I loved Cassandra's warm heart and Zoe's tangled hair. I loved Ben to pieces and the whole sailing/swimming episode broke my heart and left me sobbing.
The more I think about it, the more I believe Cunningham is my favourite author, yet people prefer to recognize the names when they ask you this (who's your favourite writer, that is), so I keep on saying I have no favourite author rather than having to explain myself afterwards.
The more I think about it, the more I believe Cunningham is my favourite author, yet people prefer to recognize the names when they ask you this (who's your favourite writer, that is), so I keep on saying I have no favourite author rather than having to explain myself afterwards.
smiley938's review
5.0
I picked up this book completely by mistake. I had 10 minutes to choose a book before the library closed. I chose this book simply because of the typeface and thickness. I didn't even like the title, which I thought was cliche. I didn't even read the summary on the back.
I am so happy I picked up this book.
It's one of those books you read and forget who or where you are. I would live five years through this book and look up to find that only an hour has passed. This book is depressing. Be prepared for that. However, it is (I think) ultimately an optimistic book about life and second third fourth chances at happiness.
I'm not a writer. I can't express how much I enjoyed this book. Just read it.
-------------
p. 156 - Was she setting herself free, or was she beginning the long work of killing herself? How could you be sure of the difference between emancipation and suicide?
p. 184 - ...a much younger woman, one of those round-faced, tiny-featured women who were touted as beauties though they were not in fact particularly beautiful. They were simply the daughters of wealthy families powerful enough to demand that the concept of beauty be expanded to include them.
p. 330 - She saved money for these tips, took no other vacations, and when she bought new clothes it was always with an eye toward wearing them in Boston. In Boston, walking on Newbury or Arlington Street, past the windows of expensive stores, she could have been almost anyone.
p. 335 - She could repay him for every slight, every disappointment and act of disrespect... She thought of him going to the movies on his own graduation day, denying her a deep satisfaction that would have cost him almost nothing. She was nearly overcome with anger and with a throbbing irritation... But what she said, almost against her conscious will, in a soft clear voice, was, "No. I'm not shocked."
I am so happy I picked up this book.
It's one of those books you read and forget who or where you are. I would live five years through this book and look up to find that only an hour has passed. This book is depressing. Be prepared for that. However, it is (I think) ultimately an optimistic book about life and second third fourth chances at happiness.
I'm not a writer. I can't express how much I enjoyed this book. Just read it.
-------------
p. 156 - Was she setting herself free, or was she beginning the long work of killing herself? How could you be sure of the difference between emancipation and suicide?
p. 184 - ...a much younger woman, one of those round-faced, tiny-featured women who were touted as beauties though they were not in fact particularly beautiful. They were simply the daughters of wealthy families powerful enough to demand that the concept of beauty be expanded to include them.
p. 330 - She saved money for these tips, took no other vacations, and when she bought new clothes it was always with an eye toward wearing them in Boston. In Boston, walking on Newbury or Arlington Street, past the windows of expensive stores, she could have been almost anyone.
p. 335 - She could repay him for every slight, every disappointment and act of disrespect... She thought of him going to the movies on his own graduation day, denying her a deep satisfaction that would have cost him almost nothing. She was nearly overcome with anger and with a throbbing irritation... But what she said, almost against her conscious will, in a soft clear voice, was, "No. I'm not shocked."
joey_127's review
5.0
Michael Cunningham is one of the best writers I have ever come across. This book is so twisted and I think any gay kid who grew up with a homophobic dad can relate to Will.
lilmissreadalot's review
3.0
Unbelievable story. Three generations. Each generation going through its own troubles and heart aches. Each character so real. Michael Cunningham is such a gifted writer.
eileen_critchley's review
3.0
3 and 1/2 stars. I like books that take place over several years, and explore the interactions between generations of people.
diasparagmos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
ryspops's review
3.0
Cunningham’s writing is like treacle; thick, sticky and delicious. The characters, however, were like paper; fragile & transparent. The two didn’t mesh for me.
greg_giannakis's review against another edition
5.0
Crying in public on your bus home from work I think might be the best sign of a good book. This tore me apart and felt especially relevant what with Pride season upon us. No one can capture humans in all their ugliness and touching banality like Michael Cunningham does. I think I felt the saddest after physically feeling myself leaving the little world and atmosphere the book created. No matter how much you grasp the paperback tightly, to the point that the pages begin to warp slightly, thinking that'll accomplish everything and anything, the feelings, thoughts and impressions the story leaves you with always dissipate a bit too unremarkably for my liking.