Reviews

Bow Grip by Ivan Coyote

dinahmight's review against another edition

4.0

I picked this up from a little free library not knowing who Ivan is or anything about this book. When I saw how few ratings this book had I was pretty skeptical.

I was pleasantly surprised by this story and the writing. Excellent first novel.

butch's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

corneliusmcstrawberry's review against another edition

hopeful reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

a short novel that revolves around masculinity, especially the gruff, hardworking canadian masculinity ive come to know as a canadian myself. this book felt real. over the course of a couple of weeks, joey works to make small changes in his life for the better, and in return he experiences serendipitous circumstances. the course of events are not particularly intense or dramatic, nor do they need to be. to me it was an exploration of canadian community and hospitality in alberta, specifically, plus the hurdles that many men encounter and repress all too often. when his wife leaves him for another woman he has to choose whether he’ll change with the tides or push against them, remaining firmly rooted. change is tough and for joey it forces him to confront his emotions and shame, which are rooted in ideas of masculinity - a process that feels foreign to joey and even a bit emasculating. he could hold onto his stubbornness and continue to keep to his own little corner of drumheller, but instead he chooses to be thoughtful, to push himself a bit. by the end of the book

he is in a better place — the world hasnt shifted dramatically, but good things have happened to him and he sees that serendipity is possible and attainable if he tries.

i’ve read 7 of ivan’s books now (8, if you want to count ‘persistence’, which they edited) and im gradually working my way through them. ivan is a brilliant writer who i connect with even though im from a different part of canada — different province, neighbourhood and upbringing — and im also much younger than they are. i have a personal preference for their nonfiction life writing, but for their first and only novel i still enjoyed this and i can feel ivan’s love and knowledge come through. 

sbro_1967's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

glowhoya's review against another edition

funny reflective slow-paced

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

2.5

so interesting in that it's not very interesting!! very middle of the road vibes. i picked it up sure it was an m/m romance between a cellist and a rough and tumble mechanic, not that at all!! idk where i missed the vibes but there are some happy lesbians! a little unfaithful in the process but okay. love joseph he's a silly guy. some fun/interesting characters, very slice of life vibes. really not much to say the most interesting part of this books is how badly i misunderstood the premise.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide attempt

tmdreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This story just pulls you along, it’s not action packed but it’s compelling. Joseph a protagonist that you can root for and this is a slice of a life book that follows him during a turning point in his life. Joseph’s wife has left him for a woman but he’s just sad and confused, not angry. The plot is only a couple weeks in his life but he doesn’t know the big changes that are coming his way after he trades a used car for a cello. The cast of side characters are colourful and richly developed. This book looks at love,  loneliness and the people we meet along our journey. It has a beautifully hopeful ending. 

lnconclusive's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

hectaizani's review against another edition

4.0

I'd never heard of this book or author until it was chosen as this month's read by one of my book clubs. I found it highly readable, and really fell for the protagonist Joseph. I know the author has written several collections of short stories and I might try one of those but I'm not really big on them.

theoisnotalive's review against another edition

5.0

wowowow!!! surprised at how much i enjoyed this book. ivan coyote never disappoints.

baroquecowboy's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

wow i wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as i did. i couldn’t put it down, i might end up buying a physical copy just to have