k80uva's review against another edition
3.0
More of a 3.5 for me; very engaging with a lot of really beautiful turns of phrase, but about 2/3 of the way through the plot took a lot of turns that felt outlandish to me. But worth a read!
gswain's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the writing and characters but was disappointed with what felt like a stereotypical turn of events.
categal's review against another edition
3.0
I give this a 3+. I really like Egan's writing, and she did a really great job of creating the time period. Not sure that the first section was necessary at all.
readwithpitties's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book for a review!
- I struggled to give this a book a 3, because in reality it was more of a 3.5. I had high hopes for this book after reading some other fellow readers review but i have to say it didn't hold up that well for me. I was intrigued about Anna and her father right away, wanting to know more about her fathers secret life and what they did together. That fell short through, and it was disappointing when it jumped right into him missing. I liked the part about Lydia and Anna's relationship i think it brought a soft side to Anna, that we might not have seen other wise. I also liked the connection of the beach to the story, and how she takes Lydia back to the beach which made me have more high hopes for the relationship between Eddy and Anna. But i found this book jumped a lot, and the diving part was awesome and i loved how Anna worked hard to do something girls had never done before but it made me get lost a little bit in the story. I also loved the relationship between Dexter and Anna which i thought there could of been a lot more of in the story! I liked the gangster element but once again i got a little lost in all the story lines happening. The ending also felt like it as kinda tied together quickly just to finis the book, other parts could be taken out to make the ending way better!
- I struggled to give this a book a 3, because in reality it was more of a 3.5. I had high hopes for this book after reading some other fellow readers review but i have to say it didn't hold up that well for me. I was intrigued about Anna and her father right away, wanting to know more about her fathers secret life and what they did together. That fell short through, and it was disappointing when it jumped right into him missing. I liked the part about Lydia and Anna's relationship i think it brought a soft side to Anna, that we might not have seen other wise. I also liked the connection of the beach to the story, and how she takes Lydia back to the beach which made me have more high hopes for the relationship between Eddy and Anna. But i found this book jumped a lot, and the diving part was awesome and i loved how Anna worked hard to do something girls had never done before but it made me get lost a little bit in the story. I also loved the relationship between Dexter and Anna which i thought there could of been a lot more of in the story! I liked the gangster element but once again i got a little lost in all the story lines happening. The ending also felt like it as kinda tied together quickly just to finis the book, other parts could be taken out to make the ending way better!
thrillhouse57's review against another edition
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
4.0
moomin333's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much. The lyrical prose, the way the words leaped off the page into a motion picture in my mind, the descriptive details of the diving suits... I couldn't help but imagine it as a movie the entire time. It's set in 1943 and the sayings, mannerisms, dress, and food of the time is peppered throughout the entire story.
I admit I had a hard time getting into this book. It was a meandering slow start at first; first focusing on the father’s back story, and then moving years into the future to the daughter, Anna, as she worked in the Naval ship yard during the war. While I enjoyed the writing, I wasn’t sure I cared about the story or the characters (particularly the father), and I almost quit. I’m really glad I held on.
There are a ton of negative reviews, but if you can make it past the first quarter of the book, you may also be sucked in and treasure the read. This isn’t a beach read. It’s a raveling story of interconnections and existential crisis constantly brought back down to earth by mention of the war.
I enjoyed having to look up several dessert items, most notably the “charlotte russe” dessert which I had no idea was a thing before it was a clothing brand. It’s a complicated looking berry flavored mousse set into a cake shape framed by ladyfingers and piled with cream and more berries. One could have a great “Manhattan Beach” themed party with old fashioned egg creams, whiskey sodas, the clam chowder Anna enjoys at the bar, and many more treats.
I admit I had a hard time getting into this book. It was a meandering slow start at first; first focusing on the father’s back story, and then moving years into the future to the daughter, Anna, as she worked in the Naval ship yard during the war. While I enjoyed the writing, I wasn’t sure I cared about the story or the characters (particularly the father), and I almost quit. I’m really glad I held on.
There are a ton of negative reviews, but if you can make it past the first quarter of the book, you may also be sucked in and treasure the read. This isn’t a beach read. It’s a raveling story of interconnections and existential crisis constantly brought back down to earth by mention of the war.
I enjoyed having to look up several dessert items, most notably the “charlotte russe” dessert which I had no idea was a thing before it was a clothing brand. It’s a complicated looking berry flavored mousse set into a cake shape framed by ladyfingers and piled with cream and more berries. One could have a great “Manhattan Beach” themed party with old fashioned egg creams, whiskey sodas, the clam chowder Anna enjoys at the bar, and many more treats.
ilaiza_aviles's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. It was difficult to connect with the characters. A lot was left for the reader to interpret themselves. The relationships between the characters were strange and confusing.
clairebear_books's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the historical elements, but about halfway through the plot took a turn that I was not ready for or excited about. I understand why it was necessary to move the story forward but I wish there had been another way.
ravenclawomanistcyborgwitch's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written story. So movie-like. Loved feminist themes. Really liked Anna. Buy the story dragged and was too long. I see why it was nominated for an American Book Award!