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nikread84's review
4.0
I was debating a 3 or 4 star rating (Goodreads-when are you going to do 1/2 stars?!). 3 stars for the ending, 4 for the writing. The author is an excellent writer, and I admire the progression of the protagonist through the book. But...the ending is what I would expect from real life, not from a novel...an ending that just kind of comes, with no real solution or "wrapping up" of the story. You have to predict what comes next, which is doable if the story continues as expected - slow healing from the death of a loved one. I would be interested to read another Tóibín book to see if this slower ending is his norm.
orlaelan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
An ok book, giving an interesting perspective on Ireland in the late 60s. Reads kind of like a series of vignettes and is at times a bit clunky, but readable.
soubhi's review
emotional
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? No
5.0
sksrenninger's review against another edition
3.0
Slow and quiet; this book took me four months to finish. I obviously can't say I loved it, but it was a thorough and thought-provoking portrait of a complicated person working through grief and toward a new idea of herself.
jedidjabooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
angelamichelle's review
4.0
I have some mixed feelings because in many ways I am frustrated with Nora. She remains very passive and never shakes herself out of her doldrums really. But also, can’t we write about, and can’t we love, a woman who doesn’t quite rise to the challenge? But then again, it feels Toibin thinks Nora is strong and remarkable. So I guess I remain unconvinced of his assessment.
The endless interior narrative—she saw this, she felt this, she rested her hand in this—was gripping.
The endless interior narrative—she saw this, she felt this, she rested her hand in this—was gripping.
zoe_maria's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
meegsc's review against another edition
2.0
Very similar style to Toibin's book Brooklyn, but lacking the excitement. Also like Brooklyn, time moves either very quickly or very slowly and it's hard to keep track. It also didn't feel like it ended, so there is no real sense of closure. Not that there is much to feel closure from. It felt very ordinary.