This book was a little too much - plotwise. Other than that, thrilling as ever.
I never realised Pratt was describing his own wife’s illness, (very realisticallt), nor that this was to be the last Joe Dillard novel. Nor that he died in 2018 and that the 11th book in the series will be written by his son.
Strangely addictive, and me being an atheist to boot. There is addictiveness in the ongoing cycle of emotional highs and lows, and the soothing wisdom of the old character Geesje. Cleverly interwoven storylines. It’s christian propaganda, it’s about an astoundingly Good set of christian people - in short it’s a soorhing fairytale.
Although I liked Brooklyn and Long Island better, still I think this a very good book. A quiet book, about rebuilding a life after a husband died. In a family where not everyone talks enough. I still can’t explain why, but I love Toibin’s very simple and sometimes barren style. And I can’t stop reading, even when little happens, like in this wisow’s life.
Just discovered Toibin. Fascinating. God knows why. The writing is unadorned. It is all about personal decisions all the time. Very strong plots that keep you reading. This book particularly starts with a stunning dilemma.
I like how Brooklyn and this book are mirror images. I like the characters. And how life is a mess.