limeywesty's review against another edition
3.0
Tears and a craving for baked goods; by the end of such a tumultuous emotional excursion I needed to feel happy. I couldn't. I was dejected, but it was tragically beautiful. Writing like shards of broken jewellery.
fionacalda's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written. However she was a selfish cow and he was a doormat. And it's always a bit dodgy when one of the characters is an author.. was Miller really writing about himself?
leannep's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Fantastic. 2 main stories, and others too. Aging writer Ken is living with his grown daughter Clare in Melbourne. He befriends his neighbour John, who runs a pastry shop with his wife Sabiha (from Tunisia). John tells their lovestory to Ken. Sabiha leaving home to live with her aunt in France. The aunts lovestory. Meeting and marrying John. Her desire for a daughter. The neighbours and friends... the Cafe in France. Relationships. Lovers. Father/ daughters. Countries and belonging....
I also liked all the talking about stories. Ken- talking about writing fiction. John - always reading fiction. Sabina singing her grandmother's stories. Stories as absolution. Losing stories by telling them. Finding stories by telling them. Becoming part of other people's stories. Carrying stories and letting them go. Lovely.
It is great to read such a wonderful book after a few duds so far this year.
I also liked all the talking about stories. Ken- talking about writing fiction. John - always reading fiction. Sabina singing her grandmother's stories. Stories as absolution. Losing stories by telling them. Finding stories by telling them. Becoming part of other people's stories. Carrying stories and letting them go. Lovely.
It is great to read such a wonderful book after a few duds so far this year.
megdenman's review against another edition
4.0
Second time round reading this book as we selected it for our book club. Didn't have quite the same effect as the first reading. I adore Miller's prose and the detail of everyday life. Although enjoyable, this time round I found it difficult to relate to the characters who did not appear entirely authentic.
littleredwrites's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
0.25
bookspluscaffeine's review against another edition
4.0
Alex Miller has done it again. Rich characters and the evolution of deep emotions told with a rawness and bluntness that is simultaneously beautiful. Miller explores what telling our stories means. We know the end at the start, but that worked to drive me on, wanting to discover the details- the whys, the hows. I loved this book.
(I listened to the first half and read the second half- both modes worked for me, though I enjoy the savoring of Miller's prose and hovering over sections that reading myself allows)
(I listened to the first half and read the second half- both modes worked for me, though I enjoy the savoring of Miller's prose and hovering over sections that reading myself allows)
mandi_m's review against another edition
I am a big fan of Alex Miller and I really enjoyed this. Moving between Melbourne, Paris and Tunisia, Miller weaves a sensitive story of an unusual couple. I think this may be my handsell book for Xmas!