Reviews

Away by Jane Urquhart

karenllowe's review against another edition

5.0

I enjoyed the story and the way Urquhart's sentences flowed like a stream towards their end and meaning. An enviable talent. I found myself seeing through the characters' eyes while knowing what would come, its inevitable conclusion. Poignant and strong.

alizeeisreading's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

2.0

katsura's review against another edition

5.0

I loved reading this book. It was written so beautifully with evocative imagery. Felt like reading a dream.

chrysfaith's review against another edition

2.0

I did not really enjoy reading this book, mainly because it’s not a genre I like, but I do recognize and appreciate that she wrote it well. I found it to be slow, and had a hard time connecting with the female characters. I preferred Liam’s POV and liked learning more about the history of the Irish who came to Canada and their early years here.

hspindlew's review against another edition

4.0

This book caught my eye while at the Mississauga Sheridan Centre book sale extravaganza and it has been burning a hole in my bookshelf ever since. I tend to stay away from historical immigration after being burned by Bride of New France (somehow one of the dullest books that involved an asylum and travelling to Quebec in the later 1700s). This book was different: brimming with memory and a shared history of Ireland, I found it very interesting...if at times a bit over wrought and interested in its own importance. At times it did fall under its own grandeur and self-importance, and perhaps it attempted to stuff too much myth (Irish and Canadian alike) into a not-so-long book. However, when it was done right it was very moving and I enjoyed the myth that came from Canada. I live on Lake Ontario myself and it is interesting seeing it from such a mythic, otherworldly, point of view - like the way people describe Ireland or France or Italy.

1quarky's review against another edition

3.0

Beautiful language, interesting Canadian history, but marred by weirdness of main characters.

ldv's review against another edition

3.0

Traces a family line from famine time in Ireland to their settlement in Canada and a few generations beyond. "Away" describes people who have been touched in the head by some other spirit. The book has a dream-like quality to it.

eyegee's review against another edition

3.0

I am often caught between giving 3 or 4 stars to a book, and wish half stars were an option. In my universe (pun intended) 5 stars is reserved for books that are not only well written and creative but that catch me up emotionally and transport me someplace else while I'm immersed in them. 4 stars are for books that are almost there -- I usually appreciate the writing but don't feel connected enough into the book's world. Three stars are for books that are above average in terms of writing but basically run of the mill -- I put most mysteries and thrillers in this category. Two stars are seriously flawed in my opinion (as a reader) -- I may or may not finish them depending on how interesting I find the subject matter. And I would be unlikely to finish anything I'd rate with 1 star -- life is too short and there are too many other GOOD boos to read.

That said, I would give Away 3.5 stars if I could. Good writing, interesting plot, but I found myself drifting away from the page and having to keep pulling myself back to the story. There were a few chapters that kept my interest and had me hoping I'd end up giving it 4 stars, but in the end they were too few and far between.

megane's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25