outoftheofficeagain's review against another edition
3.0
‘Monkeys’ a novella by Susan Minot (released in 1986) was an, at times, sad and bustling look into the old-money, New England lives of a group of siblings and their quiet father and spirited mother. Told in vignettes at Thanksgiving, and after an accident, among other things, we watch the children grow and catch the subtleties between the parents as captured through the children’s perceptions.
This was such great writing. Deceptively simple and with an insight they I really enjoyed. This is my first Susan Minot and her debut, I believe. What a treat. So glad I picked this one up on a whim. I could definitely see myself loving her work!
This was such great writing. Deceptively simple and with an insight they I really enjoyed. This is my first Susan Minot and her debut, I believe. What a treat. So glad I picked this one up on a whim. I could definitely see myself loving her work!
valkeakuulas's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
3.75
Vahvasti Elizabeth Stroutin mieleen tuova, episodimainen rakenne toimii tässä osittain ja osittain taas ei. Yhdysvaltain Uuteen Englantiin sijoittuva perhetarina, jossa lähes jokainen suurperheen lapsista saa tilaisuuden kertoa vuosien varrelta perheen tarinan. Tarinan johon kuuluu katolinen suurperheen äiti ja perheen arjesta erossa kipuileva, etäinen isä.
Osa tarinoista on keskinkertaisia, kun osa on taas loistavia, hienovaraisia ja tunteikkaita kertomuksia hienovireisistä pienistä perheenjäsenten välisistä suhteista. Tämä taitaa olla ainoa suomennettu Susan Minot.
Osa tarinoista on keskinkertaisia, kun osa on taas loistavia, hienovaraisia ja tunteikkaita kertomuksia hienovireisistä pienistä perheenjäsenten välisistä suhteista. Tämä taitaa olla ainoa suomennettu Susan Minot.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
I hate books that are blurbed with a comparison to [b:Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398034300l/5107._SY75_.jpg|3036731]. Just hate it. The reality is, these are never really like Catcher, it's the reviewer/publisher trying to cash in on the universality of Salinger's book (and by "universality" I mean that it seem that 99% of all Americans have had to read/analyze the text).
On to Monkeys... it's more like [b:Lark Rise to Candleford|511208|Lark Rise to Candleford|Flora Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585089129l/511208._SY75_.jpg|1704934] than Catcher: small slices of life with almost nothing happening so you have to create the plot in your own mind. It's a literary device that I sort of like, and in this case it's done well. However ultimately the book didn't leave me feeling like I'd read anything (possibly it's the size, which is more novella than novel). I'll read more of [a:Susan Minot|22476|Susan Minot|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1288295839p2/22476.jpg]'s work, but perhaps not just now.
On to Monkeys... it's more like [b:Lark Rise to Candleford|511208|Lark Rise to Candleford|Flora Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585089129l/511208._SY75_.jpg|1704934] than Catcher: small slices of life with almost nothing happening so you have to create the plot in your own mind. It's a literary device that I sort of like, and in this case it's done well. However ultimately the book didn't leave me feeling like I'd read anything (possibly it's the size, which is more novella than novel). I'll read more of [a:Susan Minot|22476|Susan Minot|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1288295839p2/22476.jpg]'s work, but perhaps not just now.
matilyn_marie24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aileenginny's review against another edition
4.0
Reading about how the kids grow up together and bond as siblings was divine. It reminded me of certain aspects of my family (though my family is much smaller).
rpmirabella's review
4.0
A lovely book. A minimalist gem. Lulls you with its serene descriptions of family life, the beautiful landscape, and then clobbers you with grief, pain, and love. Funny, scrappy, and true.
sarahmae531's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.75
Monkeys is a really sweet book. The beginning was definitely slow and it took me a while to get into, but once I did I loved reading about the sibling dynamics in the Vincent family, watching them grow up, and watching their relationships with each other ebb and flow.
I did wish there was some more character building so we could get to know the family members better (I found my levels of care for certain characters changing throughout the book) but when I originally picked the book up I expected it to be a typical novel, not necessarily a short story collection, which it is. When I look at it that way, it’s more understandable why we don’t get a lot of detail.
I did wish there was some more character building so we could get to know the family members better (I found my levels of care for certain characters changing throughout the book) but when I originally picked the book up I expected it to be a typical novel, not necessarily a short story collection, which it is. When I look at it that way, it’s more understandable why we don’t get a lot of detail.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Car accident
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
lilyfaucett's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jo_emtea's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0