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tregina's review against another edition
2.0
While I recognize that this book was very well written, and deserving of its accolades, I found the style of it to be very distancing. Maybe intentionally. Though there were moments that struck me fiercely ("To think that despite our best intentions we may, in the end—and necessarily—leave the people that we love quite extraordinarily alone."), it was ultimately just not the book for me.
abbywebb's review against another edition
1.0
I can't actually say that I commonly give out just one star. I tend to be more forgiving than that. This time, I just couldn't go any higher than one star because that would be blatantly lying, and I can't do that!
The back of the book provides the premise of what presumably happens in the book. I say "presumably" not because I skipped over pages or skimmed them but because it was so difficult to uncover what was happening. Without reading the author info at the back, I could guess without a doubt that Skibsrud is a poet by nature. She had elegant prose throughout the novel, but it would have been better reserved for a collection of poems, not the most sought after novel in Canada in November.
In fact, that is the very reason why I sought out this book: it was out of stock at all Chapters/Indigo stores across the country. Not to mention the fact that it is written by a Canadian. When I passed by the "New in Fiction" section of my local library a couple weeks ago, I figured why not give it a whirl before someone else takes it and then there is a hold for the next 7 years.
I should have just left it.
Okay, it wasn't THAT bad. But it was pretty horrible. I picked up more about the storyline by reading the back of the book after I had finished reading it. Now, is that not an indication of something?!?
I'm not trying to persuade people NOT to read the book; rather, I am just indicating that if there are other books that you have your eye on, maybe read those ones first. In hindsight, this one should have ended up at the bottom of my pile (especially with my dwindling focus on literature these past couple months...). But perhaps you could just read it and discover for yourself if it is worthwhile or not.
The back of the book provides the premise of what presumably happens in the book. I say "presumably" not because I skipped over pages or skimmed them but because it was so difficult to uncover what was happening. Without reading the author info at the back, I could guess without a doubt that Skibsrud is a poet by nature. She had elegant prose throughout the novel, but it would have been better reserved for a collection of poems, not the most sought after novel in Canada in November.
In fact, that is the very reason why I sought out this book: it was out of stock at all Chapters/Indigo stores across the country. Not to mention the fact that it is written by a Canadian. When I passed by the "New in Fiction" section of my local library a couple weeks ago, I figured why not give it a whirl before someone else takes it and then there is a hold for the next 7 years.
I should have just left it.
Okay, it wasn't THAT bad. But it was pretty horrible. I picked up more about the storyline by reading the back of the book after I had finished reading it. Now, is that not an indication of something?!?
I'm not trying to persuade people NOT to read the book; rather, I am just indicating that if there are other books that you have your eye on, maybe read those ones first. In hindsight, this one should have ended up at the bottom of my pile (especially with my dwindling focus on literature these past couple months...). But perhaps you could just read it and discover for yourself if it is worthwhile or not.
yellowthings's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Not my type of genre. First half of the book was so slow and had too many unnecessary stories.
The second half is just frustrating not getting a clear picture of what actually happened. But I guess that is the point the author tries to get across.
Had to force myself to finish this one.
The second half is just frustrating not getting a clear picture of what actually happened. But I guess that is the point the author tries to get across.
Had to force myself to finish this one.
booksconnectus's review against another edition
2.0
So far I'm having a really hard time reading this book....which is very diappointing because I was soo looking forward to spending my Christmas vacation getting lost in this award-winner.....I am intrigued....I do want to know the story behind what I am reading....I just find it awkward and hard to follow...I keep having to go back and find out if this part is taking place in Canada or the States...if this is taking place in the present or it's already happened and she's re-telling it or remembering it....but I don't want to throw it down...I'm certain that wonderful story the rest of Canada is talking about is just on the next page!!!!!
I did not finish reading this book.......which I do feel badly about.....it had to go back to the library, as it was on hold......Perhaps I will request it another time when there isn't such a long waiting list....I would like to find out how her story ended up.....
I did not finish reading this book.......which I do feel badly about.....it had to go back to the library, as it was on hold......Perhaps I will request it another time when there isn't such a long waiting list....I would like to find out how her story ended up.....
bookslayer's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
3.0
akublik's review against another edition
4.0
Poetic - beautifully written. Was difficult to keep track of the storyline at times, but was well worth the effort. Won the Giller Prize.
24marsha's review against another edition
3.0
Free audiobook.
I have to say there is beautiful and poetic writing in this story - but I struggle to feel the book deserves the Giller prize. The intent of revealing the hidden past that makes her father who he is feels too forced and doesn’t flow. I think I am overwhelmed with description and wanted more direct storytelling (dialogue and crisis) and less imagery and reflection.
I have to say there is beautiful and poetic writing in this story - but I struggle to feel the book deserves the Giller prize. The intent of revealing the hidden past that makes her father who he is feels too forced and doesn’t flow. I think I am overwhelmed with description and wanted more direct storytelling (dialogue and crisis) and less imagery and reflection.
blairconrad's review against another edition
Man, I just couldn't do it. It's all "awards circuit language" - what the author thinks is pretty, but is really just very hard to read. I like to think I can handle a complex sentence as well as the next guy, but this was just too much work, with too little promise of reward.
kimcheel's review against another edition
1.0
I got this from Audible since they had 10 Giller prize-winning books for free. Yay free books! I saw going in that GoodReads reviewers did not like this book. Conversely, Audible reviewers did (though the amount of Audible reviewers pale in comparison to GoodReads reviewers).
I DON'T GET IT!
I don't want to be a jerk reviewer who sits in her reading chair and judges harshly, but damn. This was hard. I think it was easier to have as an audiobook, but I just couldn't see the point. For so much of this book, it just seemed like something that should be kept within the story. The interesting parts - Napoleon's experiences in the war seemed almost like an afterthought. The best part of the whole production was the almost radio play-like performance of the transcript in the epilogue.
My question is now, "why present it like this?" Skibsrud herself said at the end, she's not sure what actually happened in Vietnam - that there were contrasting reports, from her own father. So why not create some speculative fiction with a caveat? For so long we heard how dysfunctional her father was, but as far as the reason (or what I would assume the reason to be), it's rushed over.
I've read some amazing memoirs this year alone, and it's memoirs like this that made me shy away from memoirs for so long. I found zero connection to any character - I didn't actually understand the connections that were there - how did Henry and Napoleon become so close. She even acknowledges in the epilogue she doesn't know. WHY WOULD SHE MAKE US GUESS?? I'm using angry caps and I don't want to.
I'm just so very disappointed. I'm really bad at reading Canadian content - something I'm trying to rectify, which was another reason I read this, and will read the other free offerings from Audible - so I can't comment to the other books that were considered for the 2010 prize.
I DON'T GET IT!
I don't want to be a jerk reviewer who sits in her reading chair and judges harshly, but damn. This was hard. I think it was easier to have as an audiobook, but I just couldn't see the point. For so much of this book, it just seemed like something that should be kept within the story. The interesting parts - Napoleon's experiences in the war seemed almost like an afterthought. The best part of the whole production was the almost radio play-like performance of the transcript in the epilogue.
My question is now, "why present it like this?" Skibsrud herself said at the end, she's not sure what actually happened in Vietnam - that there were contrasting reports, from her own father. So why not create some speculative fiction with a caveat? For so long we heard how dysfunctional her father was, but as far as the reason (or what I would assume the reason to be), it's rushed over.
I've read some amazing memoirs this year alone, and it's memoirs like this that made me shy away from memoirs for so long. I found zero connection to any character - I didn't actually understand the connections that were there - how did Henry and Napoleon become so close. She even acknowledges in the epilogue she doesn't know. WHY WOULD SHE MAKE US GUESS?? I'm using angry caps and I don't want to.
I'm just so very disappointed. I'm really bad at reading Canadian content - something I'm trying to rectify, which was another reason I read this, and will read the other free offerings from Audible - so I can't comment to the other books that were considered for the 2010 prize.
imjustmea's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately, I'm pretty disappointed with this book. After the Giller Prize and all the surrounding hype, I was expecting something different. The premise of the book, an adult woman finally getting to know her father and learning of his horrific experience in the Vietnam, is interesting but I think Ms. Skibsrud failed in the delivery. I almost gave up on the book after a few pages because I started to get frustrated with the long sentences overdosed with commas. I finished the book but I can't help feeling that a lot of words were used but not much was said. I just got the feeling that the author was trying too hard.