Lisa

Let's just say that it wasn't the best choice read for someone who hired trauma cleaners less than two years ago to handle a narrowly averted tragedy in their childhood home.

What's that saying, too soon? Yup it was too soon.

That being said, this book was nothing like I thought it was going to be. I really did like it, as dark as it is in many places, it was always balanced by the shining resilience of its main subject.

Well, I really wanted to like this and in fact, it is one of a handful of books I have given up on. This is no small thing because growing up in Minnesota means you weren't raised a quitter, but this book pushed me there by page 119. Please do not let my family know I have shamed them.

I'm pretty sure I read at least 40 pages of made up cinema history like it was supposed to mean something.

Sort the reviews for all other 1 star reviews and know that I ditto them.

DNF

Calling fans of Beowulf and Grendel, this is a must read. If I was still a literature teacher I would certainly devise a unit on all three of them.

I really loved the approach and character development as well as the post apoplectic feel to it.

In a sea of books that have been ok or pretty good lately, this one stands out as one of the best books I have read in 2021.

I am really into getting the books on Libby so when I am too sleepy to read a book in my hands but not ready to admit defeat, I can stay in the world of the story as I fall asleep. The audiobook was an amazing accompaniment to my real book experience.

It was exciting to revive an ARC of this novel as it had been on my shelf for just a few weeks. The start was engaging and pulled me in, but started to lose me when it shifted focus off patient zero whose story could fill an entire novel on its own. That being said, there was a lot to learn and brought some perspective to all the work behind the scenes when a pandemic strikes. Who are the people who chose to rush in and why? How easy is it for a pandemic to spread? Why are our medical systems so woefully unprepared? Def. worth the read, but not the pace and draw I need from books right now.

The parts that were weak were totally mitigated by the fact that if I am ever trapped in another world being stalked by an eight foot long blind giant otter I want the main character in this book by my side for comic relief alone. Cause you know when the sh*t goes down you need your person.

Ugh.... That's it, my three letter review.

As a teacher of young people I will always be a sucker for a novel that explores the inner workings of a teenager. I did find myself skimming over the flashback portions as the characters on the plane were not as compelling as Edward's main story, which is what kept me reading. There were some really thoughtful moments that will stick with me.

Full disclosure: much of this went over my head as it is so specific Croatian politics and expat life. However, I loved the cadence, wit and voice behind the essays. I am curious to read more, but will likely seek out her novels next.

First off, literally no prepper says TSHTF in conversation, using instead the more impactful and much easier to say, “when the shit goes down”.

Secondarily, any applicant who closes her college essay with “That's why I want to go to college” should be automatically denied and their English teacher/counselor fired.

I just can't with this book.

Sniff.... started pretty strong, slowing losing me along the way.

It was a let down to see many of the women now in power roles mirroring the worst in the patriarchy they sought to destroy. I was hoping for more than this take on human nature.

Does it count if I read most of it but had to stop because it was way too rapey?

My dark side has me enjoying the right kind of post apoplectic writing, but encountering more than a handful of rape scenes will never work for me.

As a fan of Ms. Butler, I was really sad to not be able to finish this book, but I just couldn't. This especially because I did enjoy the previous novel in the series and was looking forward to what came next.

Two stars because I really respect Ms. Butler.

The premise was interesting, but for all the research into Indian boarding schools the author talks about in his notes, he has given us a 444 page novel about White kids (yes, the White kids) who attended a boarding school as orphans and their escape of the brutality they saw there.

The three Native characters are minor and played as side kicks, ghosts or tropes. I find it beyond inappropriate that the main minor Native character doesn't even have a voice - he's mute. I am not kidding. And even worse, when he decides to claim his native name, in the end as it's difficult for his White friends to wrap their heads around it, he signs to them that they can still call him Moses. Jesus help us all.

If I could give this book zero stars I would.

I don't know...I read all 447 pages at times somewhat begrudgingly and other times with amusement.

I'm going to pass it to my 78 year old mother who just moved in with me and see what she thinks.

Will update with her review.

Ugh. Besides the obvious issues everyone else can state, the characters were flat and barely develop over the course of the novel. The plot misses out on developing background circumstances and weakly wraps up plot twists way too quickly when they could have been the most engaging parts of the entire novel. I was doubtful about reading it and after it reminded me how much I miss the library during Corona lockdown.

I love that when I travel I know that any Louise Erdrich novel is the perfect find. Four Souls gave another look into the lives of several excellent characters from previous novels.

Sad to say it, but not my thing. Loved Just Kids and M Train so much and this one lost me from the start.

I was so excited when I happened upon this book in the library, but was quickly disappointed with it. Had there been something else to read in the house I wouldn't have bothered finishing. Tone, pacing and character development all fell flat. As a fan of Wool, I wanted to have my 14 year old read it, but the misogynist overtones and references to rape which did nothing to develop the plot or further characterize the archetypal bully were a total turn off. The best part of the book was reading on the jacket that AMC has Wool in development.

Done for now.. a bit too much too soon for this girl. I'd love to see a primer to this disease that eases you in. I am sure if the inevitable, just not ready for it yet. That being said, it's valuable.

Absolute perfection. Does exactly what we all need books to do. Pulls you through an intricate adventure with characters you wish were family members and your best friends, thrills with harrowing moments, abounds with incredulous amounts of luck good and bad, and did I mention a stand up hero of an old panther hunting dog who makes me feel sheepish about being so dang lazy? Keeping my fingers crossed that Elizabeth Crook dives in again and lets Sam narrate her side of the tale.

After learning more about this author, I could not finish this book. There is nothing worse than someone purpetrating a fraud and stealing culture under the guise of a memoir.



http://www.laweekly.com/news/navahoax-2141610

Exquisite.

So refreshingly different.

Second time reading in preparation for volume two finally dropping.

The story is multi layered and the art is stunning.

Started so strong, bit fizzled out. I finished it out of stubbornness.

The patterns are a total hassle to trace as they overlay each other and the directions are pretty sparse for a beginner at clothes making. I love the clothes, but feel less than confident to make them just yet.