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sci_mom's review
5.0
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. This story reads a lot like a very compelling memoir and I loved it. It explores the boundaries between family and friendship so well from so many different perspectives. While many of the topics are controversial, the author skillfully wove them into the narrative in a way that allowed the reader to see all sides with no obvious agenda. I really appreciated how that was done. I would recommend this book and will be reading more by this author.
gbarker_author's review
3.0
“And there it was, my future set out before me in that single two second interaction. The Drama, the dominance, the manipulation, the generosity, the smothering, the wealth and education and land and privilege—the startling wonder of this almost woman from a world I’d never even dreamed I’d enter.” - Quote from Jenni Odgen's "Call My Name" which truly encapsulates the rocky friendship of Olivia and Cassandra, but only scratches the surface of the book as a whole.
An emotional, slow burn saga of friendship and found family. “Call My Name” had some absolutely stunning prose and visceral scenes. I felt myself moved to tears on more than one occasion. I enjoyed the accurate depiction of real-life friendship—how it’s not always a linear line of steadily increasing love and devotion. It’s messy. Jenni Ogden wove an authentic tale that tugs at the heartstrings.
That being said, this truly is a SLOW burn and the pacing might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There's far more "exposition" than "action." This book also tackles some truly heavy subject matter (like a*ortion), which might be triggering for some. Would recommend to the right reader.
ARC received through NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the privilege. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
An emotional, slow burn saga of friendship and found family. “Call My Name” had some absolutely stunning prose and visceral scenes. I felt myself moved to tears on more than one occasion. I enjoyed the accurate depiction of real-life friendship—how it’s not always a linear line of steadily increasing love and devotion. It’s messy. Jenni Ogden wove an authentic tale that tugs at the heartstrings.
That being said, this truly is a SLOW burn and the pacing might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There's far more "exposition" than "action." This book also tackles some truly heavy subject matter (like a*ortion), which might be triggering for some. Would recommend to the right reader.
ARC received through NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the privilege. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
missjustynak's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I had no expectation going into this. Read the description, thought it sounded interesting, ended up really enjoying it. I think the flow of the story surprised me the most. There was just so much going on that kept it going for me and kept me reading/listening.
PROS
(1) Narrator Naomi Barton did an excellent job
(2) The characters - I found one of the main relationships the book focused on was that between Olivia and her foster sister Cassandra and I didn't really like either one of them, but I think that was the point. Olivia didn't know how to belong but wanted to and Cassandra treated her as if she did from the beginning. I think their dynamic was meant to be broken although sometimes it felt like it was brought on by Olivia herself. The supporting cast however - parents, husbands, kids - I really enjoyed. I thought they were smart and supportive and great characters helping move the story forward
(3) The story spanning decades. Watching relationships grow/fail/triumph/end. It was amazing how invested one can get in fictional lives
CONS
(1) Some years went by really fast. There was a point where Olivia went to first live with the Tulloch's and became friends with the children and suddenly they were adults. Then later on in their lives as they were mentioning the great relationship between Olivia and Cassandra I think it felt a little like where did this come from because there was no real exploration into their close friendship. At least I felt like it was just a mention of it but no feel for it. Maybe that is why I didn't fully understand Olivia and Cassandra's relationship in later years. I was constantly asking myself if they were ever close or if I made that up in my head.
Overall great read. Jenni Ogden did a great job and I was invested till the end. I also liked that there was a clear end. The main storyline felt complete and I wasn't left wondering what else could have happened in Olivia's life or what else she could do/have done. It felt finished and satisfactory.
Thank you NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for the arc.
I had no expectation going into this. Read the description, thought it sounded interesting, ended up really enjoying it. I think the flow of the story surprised me the most. There was just so much going on that kept it going for me and kept me reading/listening.
PROS
(1) Narrator Naomi Barton did an excellent job
(2) The characters - I found one of the main relationships the book focused on was that between Olivia and her foster sister Cassandra and I didn't really like either one of them, but I think that was the point. Olivia didn't know how to belong but wanted to and Cassandra treated her as if she did from the beginning. I think their dynamic was meant to be broken although sometimes it felt like it was brought on by Olivia herself. The supporting cast however - parents, husbands, kids - I really enjoyed. I thought they were smart and supportive and great characters helping move the story forward
(3) The story spanning decades. Watching relationships grow/fail/triumph/end. It was amazing how invested one can get in fictional lives
CONS
(1) Some years went by really fast. There was a point where Olivia went to first live with the Tulloch's and became friends with the children and suddenly they were adults. Then later on in their lives as they were mentioning the great relationship between Olivia and Cassandra I think it felt a little like where did this come from because there was no real exploration into their close friendship. At least I felt like it was just a mention of it but no feel for it. Maybe that is why I didn't fully understand Olivia and Cassandra's relationship in later years. I was constantly asking myself if they were ever close or if I made that up in my head.
Overall great read. Jenni Ogden did a great job and I was invested till the end. I also liked that there was a clear end. The main storyline felt complete and I wasn't left wondering what else could have happened in Olivia's life or what else she could do/have done. It felt finished and satisfactory.
Thank you NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for the arc.
shelleys_book_nook's review
4.0
A couple of summers ago I read and loved The Moon is Missing by Jenni Ogden so when I saw she had another book on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it. This book was heartbreaking and joyful in equal measure, much like real life. It begs the question, what does it mean to be a mother? But it also asks what makes a family? The story asks many pertinent and timely questions about abortion, adoption/surrogacy, and mental health. There was a lot to take on in this book as it spans thirty years or more but as usual Jenni Ogden's writing is emotive and she tells this story beautifully.
As long as this story was I was swept away in its telling and managed to read it in a couple of sittings. I loved the location of Australia and felt like I had visited there. The descriptions of the beaches, the sand, and the flora & fauna were absolutely lovely. I loved being on Olivia's journey to find a family and a place to call home. This was such a joy to read for many reasons but what I liked most was the fact that it is simply a story about life and love including all the good, the bad, and messy in-between.
slday__'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This audiobook really was an emotional rollercoaster.
I absolutely loved the following of this friendship, it really shows you the depths and the highs and the lows everyone can experience. I think because of the time period it covers too it’s a really strong sense of equality between men and women, particularly in their relationships and career and how people can do it different ways.
The story is narrated so well! I really felt the different characters and had no difficulty knowing who was who, it’s really well done. It’s written incredibly too, the part where she is told about her mother during the war was just heartbreaking and I felt like I was going through that same conversation with the character, just truly so well done.
Each of the characters has so much depth to them as well, the end is truly heartbreaking (along with many heartbreaking stories along the way). I think for me it could with more around the kids as they are growing up and what they are doing with their lives and that would make it 5 starts but I completely get why the focus remains on the parents.
I highly recommend.
**Thank you Sea Dragon Press for the ALC in exchange for an honest review**
I absolutely loved the following of this friendship, it really shows you the depths and the highs and the lows everyone can experience. I think because of the time period it covers too it’s a really strong sense of equality between men and women, particularly in their relationships and career and how people can do it different ways.
The story is narrated so well! I really felt the different characters and had no difficulty knowing who was who, it’s really well done. It’s written incredibly too, the part where she is told about her mother during the war was just heartbreaking and I felt like I was going through that same conversation with the character, just truly so well done.
Each of the characters has so much depth to them as well, the end is truly heartbreaking (along with many heartbreaking stories along the way). I think for me it could with more around the kids as they are growing up and what they are doing with their lives and that would make it 5 starts but I completely get why the focus remains on the parents.
I highly recommend.
**Thank you Sea Dragon Press for the ALC in exchange for an honest review**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Abortion
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