Jessica
I found this a challenging read. Parts I felt talked down to me, parts I felt I did not understand the dynamics. It just felt uneven. But for a domestic novel, it was a story of very flawed people being very flawed. Ultimately, I think I was left feeling a little empty as it just didn't really feel like there was a lot of actual growth for the characters. I also found the Katrina to be underwritten and presents mostly as a vehicle for presenting the more pointed diatribes at the book's cis audience. Without a lot of generosity or grace, whenever Katrina stumbled, it was not really okay. And whenever Katrina asserted understanding based on her experiences as a different minority, it was dismissed. I think I found this book to be unwelcoming -- even to those who may be trying. And IMO, none of these people are ready to be parents.
I found this a challenging read. Parts I felt talked down to me, parts I felt I did not understand the dynamics. It just felt uneven. But for a domestic novel, it was a story of very flawed people being very flawed. Ultimately, I think I was left feeling a little empty as it just didn't really feel like there was a lot of actual growth for the characters. I also found the Katrina to be underwritten and presents mostly as a vehicle for presenting the more pointed diatribes at the book's cis audience. Without a lot of generosity or grace, whenever Katrina stumbled, it was not really okay. And whenever Katrina asserted understanding based on her experiences as a different minority, it was dismissed. I think I found this book to be unwelcoming -- even to those who may be trying. And IMO, none of these people are ready to be parents.
Writing is over-wrought and pretentious and repetitive. Plot is SLOOOOOW until <spoiler>suddenly 1000 reveals from characters we don't know or understand with motivations that are non-sensical, or characters that we do (theoretically) know and understand but we just weren't told this massive major thing. A jail break that requires Ocean's Eleven style organization. Massive rip-offs from Forest Gump and Shawshank.</spoiler> Started thinking I should DNF around 30% the way through, and just absolutely hate-read the last 30%. Wasn't willing to not know the 'ending', but literally nothing in this book made sense or rang true. Just absolutely maudlin tripe until the end.
Writing is over-wrought and pretentious and repetitive. Plot is SLOOOOOW until <spoiler>suddenly 1000 reveals from characters we don't know or understand with motivations that are non-sensical, or characters that we do (theoretically) know and understand but we just weren't told this massive major thing. A jail break that requires Ocean's Eleven style organization. Massive rip-offs from Forest Gump and Shawshank.</spoiler> Started thinking I should DNF around 30% the way through, and just absolutely hate-read the last 30%. Wasn't willing to not know the 'ending', but literally nothing in this book made sense or rang true. Just absolutely maudlin tripe until the end.
A really interesting trio. This is billed as non-fiction, but it feels more like the most highly researched historical fiction imaginable. I knew the story of each woman less and less aasnd the book progress but found myself more and more engaged with the stories. I would have loved a lengthier and more in-depth afterwards.
A really interesting trio. This is billed as non-fiction, but it feels more like the most highly researched historical fiction imaginable. I knew the story of each woman less and less aasnd the book progress but found myself more and more engaged with the stories. I would have loved a lengthier and more in-depth afterwards.
Reads like a beach read, but I have a feeling it will stick with me. IDK maybe because I am a Houston girl, or remember the Challenger so clearly, because I am married to a man who wanted to be an astronaut and loves flying planes. But the main characters felt fully realized. Definitely will be checking out more books by Reid.
Reads like a beach read, but I have a feeling it will stick with me. IDK maybe because I am a Houston girl, or remember the Challenger so clearly, because I am married to a man who wanted to be an astronaut and loves flying planes. But the main characters felt fully realized. Definitely will be checking out more books by Reid.
If melancholy were a book, it would be this book. With just a *smidge* of body horror thrown in. Like the smallest possible amount. Like just the feeling of when your pants are too tight after a really big meal
If melancholy were a book, it would be this book. With just a *smidge* of body horror thrown in. Like the smallest possible amount. Like just the feeling of when your pants are too tight after a really big meal
Did not expect this to be such a winner. Not sure where to start.
Did not expect this to be such a winner. Not sure where to start.
Had a bit of a hard time getting through this one. Just never really felt very compelling. Will pause this series for now and maybe return some other day.
Had a bit of a hard time getting through this one. Just never really felt very compelling. Will pause this series for now and maybe return some other day.
A really interesting trio. This is billed as non-fiction, but it feels more like the most highly researched historical fiction imaginable. I knew the story of each woman less and less aasnd the book progress but found myself more and more engaged with the stories. I would have loved a lengthier and more in-depth afterwards.
A really interesting trio. This is billed as non-fiction, but it feels more like the most highly researched historical fiction imaginable. I knew the story of each woman less and less aasnd the book progress but found myself more and more engaged with the stories. I would have loved a lengthier and more in-depth afterwards.
For about 4/5ths of this book, I was on the edge of bailing. Soooo much battle planning. So much description about people's colors (whatever happened to ‘show, don't tell...???'). But the end got me good. Not enough to redeem it fully, but I am glad I finished it.
For about 4/5ths of this book, I was on the edge of bailing. Soooo much battle planning. So much description about people's colors (whatever happened to ‘show, don't tell...???'). But the end got me good. Not enough to redeem it fully, but I am glad I finished it.
The story about the grandmother's dress. OMG. The storytelling is first rate.Really reminds me of [a:Trevor Noah 15149526 Trevor Noah https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555600819p2/15149526.jpg]'s [b:Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood 29780253 Born a Crime Stories From a South African Childhood Trevor Noah https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473867911l/29780253.SY75.jpg 50150838]. Memoirs like these of extreme poverty told in this very neutral, non-accusatory way are always so eye-opening. I spend a lot of time thinking about the mothers in these scenarios, presented without judgment or condemnation, but also without excuse or glorification. And I wonder how they raised these good, resilient men.
The story about the grandmother's dress. OMG. The storytelling is first rate.Really reminds me of [a:Trevor Noah 15149526 Trevor Noah https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555600819p2/15149526.jpg]'s [b:Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood 29780253 Born a Crime Stories From a South African Childhood Trevor Noah https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473867911l/29780253.SY75.jpg 50150838]. Memoirs like these of extreme poverty told in this very neutral, non-accusatory way are always so eye-opening. I spend a lot of time thinking about the mothers in these scenarios, presented without judgment or condemnation, but also without excuse or glorification. And I wonder how they raised these good, resilient men.
If Dickens wrote fantasy, this is what you would get.
A quick estimation of what the full series commitment is is something like 450 hours of recorded audio.... So.... IDK that I will ever finish it, but it is nice to have a cool world to slip in and out of whenever I want. On to #2 for sure.
If Dickens wrote fantasy, this is what you would get.
A quick estimation of what the full series commitment is is something like 450 hours of recorded audio.... So.... IDK that I will ever finish it, but it is nice to have a cool world to slip in and out of whenever I want. On to #2 for sure.
