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bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
In one word, this book was human. The characters are three dimensional, fully realized people and no one has it easy. Their struggles are the day-to-day ones that you never really read about; "Do I have enough money to have enough gas to make it back and forth from work this week?" is a real question for alot of people- it may not be the bleak poverty of Precious, or as exciting as a casino heist, but it's real, it's raw, and it's unflinchingly honest. It's a fascinating character study- more about the development of a man than a "story-story" per se; it's not always easy to like the characters, but I never doubted their humanity. Well done, Joe Schwartz :)
gothamgal's review against another edition
4.0
I was blown away by how impressed I was by the style of writing in A Season Without Rain. Jacob is an everyman for hard times after 2000.
I found myself equally rooting for him, and yelling at him (that he was smarter than this) throughout the novel–that level of engagement is refreshing.
Jacob doesn’t take responsibility in so many aspects of his destiny and the destiny of his family until the end–and that’s when he realizes what is important in life and can truly live the life that will give him the most value.
While I’ve spent little time in St Louis, it is clear that Joe knows and cares about this setting–and while every city may have this story, the setting of St Louis (that the author loves) shows in every page of this novel.
The parks department has been glamorized by the show Parks and Recreation in NBC, but it was nice to get a better (more realistic) perspective of the job, especially since many of the positions within this department are vital in the overall enjoyment of the parks, but overlooked by many of the people enjoying the parks. In this book, the system seems a lot like a purgatory of sorts, a waiting room while people wait to move onto the next part of their lives.
The September 11 spin (where were you when) was something that gave the story a fixed point in time, apart from the dated chapter titles–and it served as a necessary reminder. Everyone remembers where they were when the towers fell, and I think that it’s also important not to overlook the fact he was in an OB-GYN waiting room while this happened–a place so happy against something so incredibly sad.
At one point, I had a really hard time pinpointing Jacob’s age, but ended up realizing he was about a decade older than me–I was surprised that he had been married for so long, however that his marriage was shaken up a bit by his actions (or rather, his nonaction) in the book–I think time has a way of lulling us into complacence–and he needed that shakeup.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book–but I have to warn you, once started you will probably be reading this in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and think that you will, too.
JKS Communications provided me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
I found myself equally rooting for him, and yelling at him (that he was smarter than this) throughout the novel–that level of engagement is refreshing.
Jacob doesn’t take responsibility in so many aspects of his destiny and the destiny of his family until the end–and that’s when he realizes what is important in life and can truly live the life that will give him the most value.
While I’ve spent little time in St Louis, it is clear that Joe knows and cares about this setting–and while every city may have this story, the setting of St Louis (that the author loves) shows in every page of this novel.
The parks department has been glamorized by the show Parks and Recreation in NBC, but it was nice to get a better (more realistic) perspective of the job, especially since many of the positions within this department are vital in the overall enjoyment of the parks, but overlooked by many of the people enjoying the parks. In this book, the system seems a lot like a purgatory of sorts, a waiting room while people wait to move onto the next part of their lives.
The September 11 spin (where were you when) was something that gave the story a fixed point in time, apart from the dated chapter titles–and it served as a necessary reminder. Everyone remembers where they were when the towers fell, and I think that it’s also important not to overlook the fact he was in an OB-GYN waiting room while this happened–a place so happy against something so incredibly sad.
At one point, I had a really hard time pinpointing Jacob’s age, but ended up realizing he was about a decade older than me–I was surprised that he had been married for so long, however that his marriage was shaken up a bit by his actions (or rather, his nonaction) in the book–I think time has a way of lulling us into complacence–and he needed that shakeup.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book–but I have to warn you, once started you will probably be reading this in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and think that you will, too.
JKS Communications provided me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
mrsginthelibrary's review
3.0
I loved the St. Louis setting of the book. The descriptions are very visual and easily bring the locations to mid. While I didn't really find the characters likeable, I liked their complexity. They were really struggling with some real-life problems without easy answers
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