A review by rachel_abby_reads
The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway
3.0
Gal is a 36 year old biology teacher trying to breed her own special rose. She's big on personal responsibility, and not very patient with those who don't show it in themselves. Also, she has bad kidneys, with several failed transplants in her past, so she's on dialysis every other night. In the middle of all this fun comes her niece: 15 and sent to live with Gal while her semi-irresponsible mother is working a job in the Far East. One more thing Gal's gotta do. . .
I had a hard time warming up to Gal. She isn't very merciful regarding other people's human foibles, and isn't open to the suggestion that she might have a few, herself. (I also think she's an introvert with social awkwardness - not flaws in and of themselves, just personality traits.) She does gain some personal insight over the course of the book, but it's hard won, for sure.
Reading it, and being frustrated with Gal, it did occur to me that the things that drove me nuts about her could well reflect some of my own flaws (exaggerated, I hope?). I do tend to think I'm pretty smart, and I am keen on personal responsibility, but I hope that I am more aware of my own flaws, and gentle with the weaknesses of others.
A nice break after finishing "Quiet."
I had a hard time warming up to Gal. She isn't very merciful regarding other people's human foibles, and isn't open to the suggestion that she might have a few, herself. (I also think she's an introvert with social awkwardness - not flaws in and of themselves, just personality traits.) She does gain some personal insight over the course of the book, but it's hard won, for sure.
Reading it, and being frustrated with Gal, it did occur to me that the things that drove me nuts about her could well reflect some of my own flaws (exaggerated, I hope?). I do tend to think I'm pretty smart, and I am keen on personal responsibility, but I hope that I am more aware of my own flaws, and gentle with the weaknesses of others.
A nice break after finishing "Quiet."