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chickienuggies's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty profound and charming coming-of-age story that follows Christine's life in a series of connected, chronological story fragments. It has a lot to say about the cyclical nature of life - old age is essentially painted as a second childhood, the desires of ancestors are passed on to and embodied by their descendants, and the narrator's quest for self and identity is only fulfilled when she escapes Manitoba to retrace her ancestors' steps in France and Quebec, only to find herself back where she started.
Overall, a nice read and I enjoyed it! I feel like I couldn't fully grasp how great the descriptive language was cause I read it in French T.T but I did really enjoy the sections written from a child's perspective. I think Roy is great at those from what I've read from this and from "Vincenzo" in Ces enfants de ma vie :)
Overall, a nice read and I enjoyed it! I feel like I couldn't fully grasp how great the descriptive language was cause I read it in French T.T but I did really enjoy the sections written from a child's perspective. I think Roy is great at those from what I've read from this and from "Vincenzo" in Ces enfants de ma vie :)
fischereads's review against another edition
3.0
{3.5, paperback} ca c'était ma première livre en français !! je l'ai lu pour un cours mais vraiment ai apprécié les histoires, l'histoire du titre en particulier
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
greghw's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
novelideea's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read in a very long time.
The heart and emotion of a child's inner world expressed so perfectly.
The slowly dawning understanding of aging, the profound beauty of the passage of time, the wonder of our relationship with breath & life in this world.
The heart and emotion of a child's inner world expressed so perfectly.
The slowly dawning understanding of aging, the profound beauty of the passage of time, the wonder of our relationship with breath & life in this world.
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
Four connected stories that take Christine from her young childhood to maturity. I couldn't help but think that they must have been at least somewhat semi-biographical, reflecting the author's youth in French settlements in Manitoba, Canada.
I was enthralled by Roy's gentle storytelling.
Translated from French.
I was enthralled by Roy's gentle storytelling.
Translated from French.
enoughgaiety's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow getting started, but the final story is exquisite and deeply moving.
How well I remember that year of my life, the last perhaps when I lived quite close to people and things, not yet somewhat withdrawn, as happens inevitably when one yields to the intention to set things down in words. Everything still existed simply for me that year, because of the precise and reasonable duties that stitched me to life.... Seldom since then have I been able to return completely to this or to see things and human beings otherwise than through word, once I had learned to use them as fragile bridges for exploration.... I became by degrees a sort of watcher over thoughts and human beings, and this passion, however sincere, uses up the insouciance that is needed for life.
How well I remember that year of my life, the last perhaps when I lived quite close to people and things, not yet somewhat withdrawn, as happens inevitably when one yields to the intention to set things down in words. Everything still existed simply for me that year, because of the precise and reasonable duties that stitched me to life.... Seldom since then have I been able to return completely to this or to see things and human beings otherwise than through word, once I had learned to use them as fragile bridges for exploration.... I became by degrees a sort of watcher over thoughts and human beings, and this passion, however sincere, uses up the insouciance that is needed for life.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
So this is one of those largely forgotten books that you read and then think, “why the hell aren’t more people reading this”.
It’s more than a coming of age story. It’s about life.
Go find it.
It’s more than a coming of age story. It’s about life.
Go find it.
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