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24marsha's review
4.0
As someone who understands what it’s like to be committed through generations to the ‘family home’ I loved the connection of 11 stories of all different kinds of joy and sorrow that were tied together by place. I always like when setting is a prominent and important aspect of the story.
mematilda's review
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The format of this book was perfect for a decades long tale of a small house in a small town. Alice Hoffman does these sorts of stories so well
blbdennis's review
5.0
Somehow Blackbirds became a trope for me this year and when this book popped up written by one of my favorites of Practical Magic fame as well as Turtle moon and her audible exclusive Bookshops sisters, I was all in. This story centers around a house, built in the 1800's near Salem. There is loss and magic built in to this story that introduces us to many different residents of Blackbird house from the 1800's to the 2000's. And Blackbirds are not crows.
katreadingbooks's review
4.0
Blackbird House is a collect stories that span over 200 years. The book begins with a story about the family who built the house and continues to tell about the lives of all the inhabitants of Blackbird House.
Each story has one occurring character, a white blackbird. I think this bird is suppose to be like a spirit watching over the house and all those that live there. There are also plants and a summer kitchen that play a role in all the stories. They become a character of in themselves.
The stories flowed very well. I didn't find myself having to look back to remember the last story because usually there was a character who carried over or the previous family is reference to keep the history of the house in the reader's mind through out the novel.
The only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is because at times the stories dragged on. I was like OK I got it next story please. But for a book I found at the bookstore on the clearance cart I would have to say it was a good buy.
I found the book interesting because every time I moved into a place I could not help but wonder who might have lived here before.I wonder why they put that up there or where they happy here. This book answers those kind of questions for the Blackbird House since it chronicled the lives of the multiple owners of the house.
Each story has one occurring character, a white blackbird. I think this bird is suppose to be like a spirit watching over the house and all those that live there. There are also plants and a summer kitchen that play a role in all the stories. They become a character of in themselves.
The stories flowed very well. I didn't find myself having to look back to remember the last story because usually there was a character who carried over or the previous family is reference to keep the history of the house in the reader's mind through out the novel.
The only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is because at times the stories dragged on. I was like OK I got it next story please. But for a book I found at the bookstore on the clearance cart I would have to say it was a good buy.
I found the book interesting because every time I moved into a place I could not help but wonder who might have lived here before.I wonder why they put that up there or where they happy here. This book answers those kind of questions for the Blackbird House since it chronicled the lives of the multiple owners of the house.
amibunk's review
3.0
"Blackbird House" is a collection of short stories which are all set on the same farm off the East Coast. The stories are told chronologically, beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending in the 1990's.
I chose three stars for this book. Alice Hoffman has an incredible, lilting, soaring prose that is definitely 4 star worthy. Many of the stories touched me, and I wished they could have an entire novel dedicated to unfolding and exposing all the characters and their actions. However, there were entire chapters that did nothing to move me and I frankly wondered why they were included.
"Blackbird House" is pleasant and enjoyable. But it is not Hoffman's best work. If you have time on your hands, take the opportunity to read it. Keep in mind though, you will have to search out Hoffman's genious elsewhere.
I chose three stars for this book. Alice Hoffman has an incredible, lilting, soaring prose that is definitely 4 star worthy. Many of the stories touched me, and I wished they could have an entire novel dedicated to unfolding and exposing all the characters and their actions. However, there were entire chapters that did nothing to move me and I frankly wondered why they were included.
"Blackbird House" is pleasant and enjoyable. But it is not Hoffman's best work. If you have time on your hands, take the opportunity to read it. Keep in mind though, you will have to search out Hoffman's genious elsewhere.
dianametzger's review
4.0
Excellent linked short stories centered around a Cape Cod house over decades. I like when Hoffman goes a bit lighter on the magical realism and focuses on character and emotion.
lhurley16's review
5.0
This is my first Alice Hoffman novel and I'm excited to read more of her work. I fell in love with the book - the stories for each generation are short but they reel you in and leave you wanting more when it's over. Hoffman has managed to deliver each character dutifully - stories are found winding themselves into the next one until they all mend smoothly together.
There are few individual stories that stand out - but those are ones you can find yourself. The writing is beautiful and detailed without finding the dialogue lost in translation.
There are few individual stories that stand out - but those are ones you can find yourself. The writing is beautiful and detailed without finding the dialogue lost in translation.