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trin's review against another edition
3.0
A traditional, old-fashioned novel--in a good way. The sprawling and yet contained life story of sisters Lark and Robin, Dual Citizens is beautifully written and full of delicate character work and small, bright, smartly chosen detail. Not a lot happens except that two women grow up, grow apart, come back together, but the strength of the writing itself manages to make that pretty riveting.
I wish the book felt like it added up to something of a little more weight, though--psychologically, emotionally, whatever. Maybe that's an unfair demand, but I wanted more oomph from prose this good. Either way, though, Ohlin is definitely a writer I will look for more from.
I wish the book felt like it added up to something of a little more weight, though--psychologically, emotionally, whatever. Maybe that's an unfair demand, but I wanted more oomph from prose this good. Either way, though, Ohlin is definitely a writer I will look for more from.
linneahbt's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm a sucker for stories about sisterhood. A slow, meandering exploration of what it is to be a sister, a mother, a woman. What it means to have your life revolve around a person who is so integral to your existence but so, so separate. Lovely.
poutineriot's review against another edition
2.0
I kept wondering what I was missing as I read this book. The writing is technically proficient, but I found little compelling about the story. The protagonist comes across as the least interesting character; any one of the supporting characters would have provided a more interesting perspective. I wondered, even, if that was an artistic decision by the author, to tell a set of potentially interesting stories from afar, through the eyes of a narrator who herself lacks much in the way of interest. If so, however, the purpose of writing a novel in this manner escaped me.
Ultimately, it was deep in the acknowledgements that I found a potential answer to why I found this book tedious. "My whole family has supported every aspect of my writing since I was a child." I am genuinely happy that this has been the author's experience, but it isn't a recipe for compelling writing. Tolstoy knew this. The richness of an absolutely ruinous childhood simply cannot be faked; it must be lived to be described.
Maybe I'm completely off base. It wouldn't be the first time, nor likely the last. Maybe I'm missing something either glaringly obvious or supremely subtle. More likely, though, I think this novel was written for an audience that does not include me. I found it neither compelling nor in any way challenging.
Ultimately, it was deep in the acknowledgements that I found a potential answer to why I found this book tedious. "My whole family has supported every aspect of my writing since I was a child." I am genuinely happy that this has been the author's experience, but it isn't a recipe for compelling writing. Tolstoy knew this. The richness of an absolutely ruinous childhood simply cannot be faked; it must be lived to be described.
Maybe I'm completely off base. It wouldn't be the first time, nor likely the last. Maybe I'm missing something either glaringly obvious or supremely subtle. More likely, though, I think this novel was written for an audience that does not include me. I found it neither compelling nor in any way challenging.
carmanj's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely! I also loved “Inside” from 2012. Alix Ohlin’s writing is evocative and beautifully describes the everyday moments, the expectations and desires of these characters. It isn’t much like Alice Hoffman, but the comfort I feel reading Ohlin is very similar to me.
udle's review against another edition
I liked the emotional distance. Felt like the main character was never quite able to self-actualize. Which is a pleasing take on the traditional character arc.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a solid 4 star book until I got to the end. Then it just seemed odd and out of sorts and weird.
meeshreads's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I liked this fine, but I don't think it will stick with me. A book about sisters with an awful woman for a mother, who are very different and have some ups and downs through their adult lives.
macham17's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, although I really disliked that whenever a character was reintroduced after time away, they were described as "thin". I realize that sounds particularly finicky, but by the end of the book it happened enough times that it left a particular impression on what was otherwise an absorbing and thoughtful read.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
A story about sisters who are close, loving and protecting each other in a tumultuous household with a distant mother, and what happens when life pulls them apart.
Recommended for readers who like stories that examine sister relationships.
Recommended for readers who like stories that examine sister relationships.