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roberwick's review against another edition
3.0
It’s like the author took us on a hike, got lost and meandered through the woods before abruptly stopping and saying, “Okay, that’s it”.
bellaabzug's review against another edition
4.0
What an incredible storyteller. I'm legit excited that Alcott is in the beginnings of a career I'm thirsty to follow
lynn63's review against another edition
3.0
The writing is perfect - I just can't get interested in "dumb boy" characters who are messed up for no good reason
cfiddler's review against another edition
5.0
I loooooved this! It is full of heartbreaking, beautiful, honest vignettes. I will re-read this often as a testament to the depth of my relationship, regardless of the books overall negative tone and doomed relationship narrative.
amityf's review against another edition
3.0
Alcott writes with lovely language; and the plot isn't bad. This was a difficult book for me to read because my sister is bipolar and I'm not quite at the point where we've come to terms over it. Seeing a not-scary presentation of bipolar disorder is sort of shocking.
That aside, this is the single most meaningful section in the book, at least for me:
"A normal, safe upbringing was what our parents had (at least told themselves) wanted for us, but the place we were raised seemed, the more we looked, to lend itself in every way to an experience that was anything but.
Among ourselves we've tried, cautiously, to dissect it. The pedestrian nature of the town certainly had something to do with it: everything could be walked to (though even the few spots that seemed unfeasibly far, we still ventured to), and the centrality made it such that it was easy to feign a respectable bedtime for a school night and slip out a window an hour later. Rarely did we associate indoors; our town was overflowing with unenclosed physical spaces just hidden enough and begging to be occupied."
The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to books about growing in smaller areas even if that's a very small part of the story. It's where I identify the most; and Alcott's book is another one of these.
That aside, this is the single most meaningful section in the book, at least for me:
"A normal, safe upbringing was what our parents had (at least told themselves) wanted for us, but the place we were raised seemed, the more we looked, to lend itself in every way to an experience that was anything but.
Among ourselves we've tried, cautiously, to dissect it. The pedestrian nature of the town certainly had something to do with it: everything could be walked to (though even the few spots that seemed unfeasibly far, we still ventured to), and the centrality made it such that it was easy to feign a respectable bedtime for a school night and slip out a window an hour later. Rarely did we associate indoors; our town was overflowing with unenclosed physical spaces just hidden enough and begging to be occupied."
The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to books about growing in smaller areas even if that's a very small part of the story. It's where I identify the most; and Alcott's book is another one of these.
morninglightmama's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, I loved this one! The vague ominous feeling that was apparent from the opening paragraph kept me intrigued the entire time. There was a timeless feeling to the storytelling, the way memories can feel both immediate and so distant in time. The protagonist's voice was compelling and riveting, and even as characters' flaws and hurtful mistakes were unveiled, I still couldn't help but root for all of them, hoping for peace and resolution.
nirent's review against another edition
3.0
Clever and brilliant narration holds the decent story together, which is otherwise mediocre at best. I love how Alcott managed effortless transitions back and forth between different timelines. The sentences are striking and thoughtfully written, and that is what grips you right from the beginning. You will probably be blown away by the depth and maturity shown by Alcott, considering this is her debut work.
The story is rather complex which is between two brothers, Jackson and James, and Ida, a young girl who grew up with them. The three of them-not missing a moment’s time together was something they all cherished. But as they grew older, Jackson and Ida grew more intimate while James just stood there, spectator to everything.
The story is rather complex which is between two brothers, Jackson and James, and Ida, a young girl who grew up with them. The three of them-not missing a moment’s time together was something they all cherished. But as they grew older, Jackson and Ida grew more intimate while James just stood there, spectator to everything.
justineperkowski's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent writing wasted on a mediocre narrative.
ekalbers's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this from the first chapter. It read more like a short story than a novel, because of the dense language and imagery. Short but sweet, and very well-written. I look forward to more from this author. I absolutely was able to empathize with the characters and really felt like I was a part of their story when I sat down to read.
otherbeth's review against another edition
2.0
Yeah, this one belongs in the modern angst lit category. But, it's laborious to read. The writing felt forced and pretentious, like the author had been keeping a notebook of fancy metaphors and then used a crowbar to jam them into her prose. I didn't much like any of the characters, either. I mean, we're all a little damaged by life, but geeeeeeeeez. Big bunch of dysfunction, self-destruction, destruction of others all mashed up with a weird dose of superiority. Meh.