novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Algonquin Books
Hieroglyphics is a difficult book to describe. It is beautifully written with such realism and emotion. I will say that I would describe this novel as a character study rather than plot driven. It all begins with a house that ties the characters, and families together. While it is a contemporary story, the characters, depending on the ages, do go back in time with memories. It reminded me a bit of [b:Olive Kitteridge|1736739|Olive Kitteridge (Olive Kitteridge, #1)|Elizabeth Strout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320430655l/1736739._SY75_.jpg|3263906] but the characters's stories repeat in this novel. Based on this book I have put [b:Life After Life|15952899|Life After Life|Jill McCorkle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354232941l/15952899._SX50_.jpg|21704329] on hold. I would compare her writing style to Sue Miller, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler or Jennifer Haigh. It's a novel with more than a story. You get to know the characters and feel their emotions. I highly recommend this novel for those that want to get lost for awhile.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Algonquin Books
Hieroglyphics is a difficult book to describe. It is beautifully written with such realism and emotion. I will say that I would describe this novel as a character study rather than plot driven. It all begins with a house that ties the characters, and families together. While it is a contemporary story, the characters, depending on the ages, do go back in time with memories. It reminded me a bit of [b:Olive Kitteridge|1736739|Olive Kitteridge (Olive Kitteridge, #1)|Elizabeth Strout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320430655l/1736739._SY75_.jpg|3263906] but the characters's stories repeat in this novel. Based on this book I have put [b:Life After Life|15952899|Life After Life|Jill McCorkle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354232941l/15952899._SX50_.jpg|21704329] on hold. I would compare her writing style to Sue Miller, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler or Jennifer Haigh. It's a novel with more than a story. You get to know the characters and feel their emotions. I highly recommend this novel for those that want to get lost for awhile.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley, Algonquin Books and Jill McCorkle for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
Hieroglyphics is a complicated narrative from few different perspectives. The reader hears the story of Lil and Frank and from Shelley and Harvey. With flashbacks from the past, they managed to draw a complete picture of all of their lives which strangely intercept in one town in one house. I find the story interesting and engaging. The characters are well developed thorough notes, observations and their own voices. Hieroglyphics has many themes opened and slowly goes from one to another. At times, it feels a bit much but at the end it all comes together.
Hieroglyphics is a complicated narrative from few different perspectives. The reader hears the story of Lil and Frank and from Shelley and Harvey. With flashbacks from the past, they managed to draw a complete picture of all of their lives which strangely intercept in one town in one house. I find the story interesting and engaging. The characters are well developed thorough notes, observations and their own voices. Hieroglyphics has many themes opened and slowly goes from one to another. At times, it feels a bit much but at the end it all comes together.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
DNF. Just couldn't connect with the characters, although I had never given thought to the effects on court stenographers of listening to all the evils in the world before this book.
kaycee_k's review against another edition
3.0
Hieroglyphics follow Lil and Frank who married young and throw decades. This is a book about loss, growing, family. Jill McCorkle writing is simple, it's not over the top, but it makes you think. It's also about memories, thinking about them and how they change over time; what memory is like depending on your age. I like how the characters are dealing and handly how the past affects the present. The read was slow for me, but I like the message it stands for. This is was a solid book, I wasn't dying to know what was going to happen, it was just a calm read for me.
julieknut's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
kaestrong's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ljjohnson8's review against another edition
1.0
An over-written, dull, navel-gazing book about very sad, lonely, and depressed people. Maybe at another time I would have found something to appreciate, but it surely was about as poor a choice as possible for me in the middle of an isolating pandemic.
the_gender_stealer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0