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skikatt68's review against another edition
3.0
felt like this family lived next door...I kind of miss them.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
Halfway in between short stories and a novel, this was mostly enjoyable but ultimately not quite satisfying - I like a full-fledged novel.
elanarebitzer's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
fluoresensitive's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought it was a very interesting read. The way the Markowitzes interacted with others and with each other was fascinating, and the rift between the generations was interesting to. Rose with her disconnected memory, Sarah with her dreams deferred, Ed and Henry who couldn't be more unlike one another. Not to mention Ed's daughter, Miriam, whose become more devout and Orthodox as a talisman against her clinical job as a doctor.
I think my favorite stories were all the ones revolving around Rose and Henry, though the wedding chapter was very good as well!
I think my favorite stories were all the ones revolving around Rose and Henry, though the wedding chapter was very good as well!
yarnylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely book. Not as multifaceted and layered as Kaaterskill Falls, but a good read just the same.
samirakatherine's review against another edition
3.0
Perfectly pleasant read but I did not find myself attached to any of the characters.
angiehoer7's review against another edition
I didn't really give the book a chance because I was distracted by several really great books. I may try again. I read a different Allegra Goodman book that I liked.
cyndin's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 would be more accurate. Made a decent read for a plane flight but I didn't come away with it enriched or thoughtful. It was just meh.
lisaw17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
flogigyahoo's review against another edition
4.0
I know that Allegra Goodman writes well so it was no surprise to me that I thoroughly enjoyed The Family Markowitz which I finally found in my used book shop. It's at times very comical, at times wise, at times so familiar, we can only smile in recognition. There's Rose, mother of Ed and Henry, aware only of herself, there's Ed, an expert on terrorism who believes in peace in the Middle East, Sarah who keeps him sane, Henry, an ex-gay man now married and running a Laura Ashley shop in England, there's Miria, Ed and Sarah's daughter turning to Orthodox Jewry and marrying a Talmud scholar. The dialogue is witty, so Jewish-American it's like waking up at home. The descriptions of the wedding preparations, the interactions between the family members is at times laugh out loud funny. A very likable novel.