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spinstah's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t like this as much as I thought. The initial protagonist’s role diminishes over the course of the book, and there’s not really any central action that ties events and people together. I liked the writing, but the story did t do much for me.
elby3gc's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it until I didn’t and by the end I loved it again. Bertha Truitt made me laugh and I was so glad that joe turned out to find a self that he could be.
missbibliography's review against another edition
2.0
2/5 stars
In this book, Bertha is found laying in the cemetery, and becomes legend-like in the town of Salford. She creates an octagonal house and a candlepin bowling alley. The book follows her life and that of the bowling alley. Some of the words, and the way they are written are absolutely stunning and will stay with you for a long time.
However, the plot line, and the book overall was not one I would read again. It was okay for a one time read. This is probably a personal preference, as I did not like how quickly the book would switch from following one persons life to following another's as the bowling alley was passed from person to person. There were some endings that gave closure but overall the book felt dissatisfying because most of the endings and beginnings were kind of unlikely and unpredictable, and left me feeling as though I had opened a random newspaper obituary and read through it.
In this book, Bertha is found laying in the cemetery, and becomes legend-like in the town of Salford. She creates an octagonal house and a candlepin bowling alley. The book follows her life and that of the bowling alley. Some of the words, and the way they are written are absolutely stunning and will stay with you for a long time.
However, the plot line, and the book overall was not one I would read again. It was okay for a one time read. This is probably a personal preference, as I did not like how quickly the book would switch from following one persons life to following another's as the bowling alley was passed from person to person. There were some endings that gave closure but overall the book felt dissatisfying because most of the endings and beginnings were kind of unlikely and unpredictable, and left me feeling as though I had opened a random newspaper obituary and read through it.
lilcoop71's review against another edition
2.0
I can’t finish this one. It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but I have zero desire to spend any more time with it.
bensonmorgane's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting concept, but failed in any purpose of a storyline.
cler's review against another edition
3.0
Such an odd book, with unusual characters and a mewling plot. I was expecting a more traditional comedy/mystery story arch, but it ends up being a century-sprawling family epic with splashes of eccentricity. Certainly worth knowing before diving in.
bkdrgn303's review against another edition
5.0
So beautifully written. Strange and quirky and lovely.
julesanne's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for quirky and interesting characters in a novel which spans across a few generation. Instead the characters were unlikable, the story was dull. I am still not sure the point of the story. However , the writing was actually very good.
moviebuffkt's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quirky and fun little book. It took me awhile to get in to it but the characters are rich and full. Well done, but it’s hard to find a hook in to this story.