A review by insarahsgoodbooks
The Cracked Looking-Glass by Katherine Anne Porter

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The story is told from the perspective of Rosaleen, a talkative woman feeling stuck in her life with her older husband, Dennis, who just wants peace and quiet. I liked the writing style - easy to follow - but Rosaleen’s rambling made me roll my eyes at first. The beginning felt slow but it got funnier as I got used to her.

There were moments of racism and xenophobia in the story, which were uncomfortable to read. It was written in 1922 and while that doesn’t excuse it, it does reflect the attitudes of the time. Still, those parts definitely took away from my overall enjoyment.

I can empathise with Rosaleen’s frustration with her unresponsive husband and her journey toward contentment. Their dynamic reminded me of my grandparents in a bittersweet way but also made me reflect on how I don’t want my own marriage to feel. By the end, Rosaleen finds some clarity and maybe even a little peace after her solo adventure, which added a nice touch. 

Not the best read from the Penguin Short Classics series but not the worst either. I’m still warming up to the older classics. 
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