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A review by mmarlborough
A Little Hope by Ethan Joella
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
If you loved the tv show “This is Us,” you will love this book like I did. Both emotionally manipulative but in the best way, carving out beautiful tender moments with characters that resonate.
This novel takes place in the small town of Wharton, Connecticut. Each chapter is a different character’s point of view: we begin with Freddie, who’s struggling to be hopeful amidst her husband Greg’s recent cancer diagnosis. The second chapter is from Greg’s perspective, the third from Freddie’s boss at the dry cleaners, etc. Each character built upon from a previous introduction, we see how we never know what someone is going through beneath it all.
Joella constructed this novel expertly with how he layered the chapters. In books with this many characters, there are usually some that are weaker but not here. I cared about everyone so deeply and teared up several times reading this. It’s compared to Strout’s “Olive Kitteridge” in its write up (which is one of my favorite books of all time.) I can see why - both revolve around different characters in a small town but there’s no central character here like in “Olive.” A few characters get two chapters, but most only get one. I think this unevenness is the only reason it’s not a 5⭐️ read for me. It’s also more heavy handed than Strout, but I adored it. If you like character driven stories, I cannot recommend this more highly and I look forward to Joella’s new release “A Quiet Life.”
This novel takes place in the small town of Wharton, Connecticut. Each chapter is a different character’s point of view: we begin with Freddie, who’s struggling to be hopeful amidst her husband Greg’s recent cancer diagnosis. The second chapter is from Greg’s perspective, the third from Freddie’s boss at the dry cleaners, etc. Each character built upon from a previous introduction, we see how we never know what someone is going through beneath it all.
Joella constructed this novel expertly with how he layered the chapters. In books with this many characters, there are usually some that are weaker but not here. I cared about everyone so deeply and teared up several times reading this. It’s compared to Strout’s “Olive Kitteridge” in its write up (which is one of my favorite books of all time.) I can see why - both revolve around different characters in a small town but there’s no central character here like in “Olive.” A few characters get two chapters, but most only get one. I think this unevenness is the only reason it’s not a 5⭐️ read for me. It’s also more heavy handed than Strout, but I adored it. If you like character driven stories, I cannot recommend this more highly and I look forward to Joella’s new release “A Quiet Life.”