Kent

I found it quite disorientating for most of the book so it wasn't the most pleasant reading experience but in the end I enjoyed the over arching themes.

This was truly a great historical journey through multi generations and I truly felt like I had lived a lifetime with them through all of their poverty barely trying to survive. Some very harsh times.

A little less traumatic than my previous reads. It was a welcome break to be a little girl with her grandmother living out a time on a island in the Swedish archipelago. Like a magical fairyland but still very much grounded in the earth. You can feel the moss under your feet as you scamper like a child over rocks or duck dive under water thinking that you are plumbing the depths when you're really barely below the surface. Everything is bigger when you are little. 

I found this a bit cold and monosyllabic from our main character and he just didn't have any warmth or anything redeeming about the central character. Perhaps I struggled to inhabit this world but it's meant to be that way to the main character and how he moves through it so the writing style is reflective of that. 

It wasn't till the end of the book and the full cycle was complete that it hits with a quiet sadness instead of that detached beginning.

Intermezzo got me thinking I really like epic sprawling dramas that extend over generations. I went in not thinking of where it was placed and didn't intend to stay in Ireland but glad I did as this was a great blend of historical, coming of age, compassionate and also pretty funny. Had me staying up late laughing in the darkness.