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bigd1711's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jaine297's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dahlialover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Harrowing tale of two men and their lives spent during the early settlement of the United States. A bloody story about the slaughter of American Indians and then the civil war but softened by the caring, contemplative nature of the main character Thomas McNulty and his love for John Cole. Desperately sad in places. Provides what I imagine is a real outlook on how miserable and difficult their lives were then. Not necessarily a joy to read but Sebastian Barry’s writing is exceptional
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and War
asoudman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? No
5.0
lauralindahl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
I loved this so much such a loveable narrator and the most beautiful writing without ever feeling pretentious
archiegitdog's review against another edition
3.0
Easy book to listen too but hard book to mark. I would have preferred to give 3.5 but in my mind not worth a 4. There are some excellent passages where you wish there were lot more detail but for me the whole story was unbelievable where certain sections/plots were first class. Please try this as lots of others have given it a 5!
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
This was brutal but in the best way. It's McMurtry meets McCarthy with a twist of Proulx and Erdrich. Sebastian Barry unflinchingly explores the horrors of the Indian and Civil Wars set against the love between the protagonists McNulty and Cole. The success of the book lies in the voice and, like all of his work, in the writing and language. The book is dotted with surprises and insights for the reader to stumble upon like jewels. It's captivating.
thetbrstack's review against another edition
3.0
At one point in reading this painful novel, I was thinking of putting it aside forever. But I ploughed through, and eventually, it was worth it. But beware this is a depressing, violent, and traumatic book.
sneezypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lalawoman416's review against another edition
2.0
Stylistically lyrical and beautiful. I just wasn't interested in the storyline. It didn't capture my attention.