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jennker's review against another edition
slow-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
2.5
emmabeckman's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like now that I've finished this one, I quite liked the symbolism and exploration of Ireland and Irish culture embedded in this book, but my actual reading experience was just all right. So I'm giving it a middle-of-the-road 3 stars.
I particularly enjoyed the walks around Dublin, as I could picture nearly everywhere she went (many of the locations were of particular importance to where I spent a lot of time during my Dialogue in 2016). I also really liked how the author presented Vivian and her trauma so vividly without explaining explicitly what her actual experience was. Vivian has clearly had a very traumatic life, which is hinted at by stating that her parents thought she was a changeling (and I could see how the significance of this might go right over non-Irish readers' heads--I know I probably do not understand the full connotations of this statement). There are allusions to other trauma, such as time spent in hospital and not crying over parents' deaths and past physical abuse, but not much is stated explicitly. Being stuck in Vivian's head means that she is not required to provide the reader with an explanation, which means that the author has made exceptional use of the first-person voice.
I admire what was done with this book, but I didn't specifically enjoy the reading experience. I had been avoiding reading this book because of the relatively low average rating, but I'm glad I finally did. And I get why it is rated in such a way.
For anyone out there who actually got this far in my review: I wouldn't recommend picking up this book if you need a book to have lots of plot. I WOULD recommend it if you like books where you are fully immersed in the mind of a single character.
I particularly enjoyed the walks around Dublin, as I could picture nearly everywhere she went (many of the locations were of particular importance to where I spent a lot of time during my Dialogue in 2016). I also really liked how the author presented Vivian and her trauma so vividly without explaining explicitly what her actual experience was. Vivian has clearly had a very traumatic life, which is hinted at by stating that her parents thought she was a changeling (and I could see how the significance of this might go right over non-Irish readers' heads--I know I probably do not understand the full connotations of this statement). There are allusions to other trauma, such as time spent in hospital and not crying over parents' deaths and past physical abuse, but not much is stated explicitly. Being stuck in Vivian's head means that she is not required to provide the reader with an explanation, which means that the author has made exceptional use of the first-person voice.
I admire what was done with this book, but I didn't specifically enjoy the reading experience. I had been avoiding reading this book because of the relatively low average rating, but I'm glad I finally did. And I get why it is rated in such a way.
For anyone out there who actually got this far in my review: I wouldn't recommend picking up this book if you need a book to have lots of plot. I WOULD recommend it if you like books where you are fully immersed in the mind of a single character.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
I adored of the writing in this book, there were some of my favorite lines that I have ever read, such as “I’m uncomfortable with verbs, they expect too much“ and “I woke on a damp pillow; my dreams must’ve leaked.“ A very different kind of book with a quite unusual main character.
readingthebacklist's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
…
bookishmornings's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
iamsatan666's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
2.75
sprocketthecat's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
1.5
greytheghost's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
abjeo123's review against another edition
At the end of the book there’s and interview with the author. When asked if she would return to the main character (and write more about her), she says “Not right now, I’m all Vivian-ed out— it’s a pretty intense head to live in for a year!” which sums up perfectly why I quit so early on. I can’t stand being in this character’s head and honestly the writing that comes with it. It’s a painfully unfunny and honestly I get why the main character is friendless. I just know that if I kept on reading with this book I’d either finish it extremely bored or frustrated so I might as well spare myself. This does pain me though because I loved the idea of following a book about a character’s loneliness and them just trying to make a friend. I just know that this would have been a great book if the protagonist did not make me want to kill myself.