Scan barcode
mamakbear1116's review
2.0
Oh my goodness. I do not understand the praise for this book. It was entirely fine. Even the "tragic incident" is way less tragic than it could have been and the story honestly would've been almost the same without it.. I didn't feel connected to anynof the characters or care at all about what happened to them. I only ended up finishing it because I'd wasted so much time on it already. A review called it so profound for its modesty which in other words means, we go through three generations over these 300+ pages and nothing really happens.
angielina's review
4.0
3.5 stars
To say the very least, this was an above average family drama, but it lacked a lot of the things I was looking for. I was never really sure what to expect next while reading this. I kept expecting a huge plot twist to pop out at me, because the author wrote with such suspense. Sadly, none of that ever happened.
This book demonstrates what it's like to live around imperfect people. People who make mistakes. People who are scared of things most people aren't usually afraid of. These fears interfered with their daily lives to the point where they did not feel like they were living anymore. The drama between two families with a loooong history was always in motion. It was this constant unspoken rivalry that kept two families apart. However, that concept was thrown away in the second part of the novel. There were so many things that the author did RIGHT in the first half of the book and neglected those things in the second half. Because of that, I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending.
All in all, the book was not horrible, but there was a lot of lost potential.
To say the very least, this was an above average family drama, but it lacked a lot of the things I was looking for. I was never really sure what to expect next while reading this. I kept expecting a huge plot twist to pop out at me, because the author wrote with such suspense. Sadly, none of that ever happened.
This book demonstrates what it's like to live around imperfect people. People who make mistakes. People who are scared of things most people aren't usually afraid of. These fears interfered with their daily lives to the point where they did not feel like they were living anymore. The drama between two families with a loooong history was always in motion. It was this constant unspoken rivalry that kept two families apart. However, that concept was thrown away in the second part of the novel. There were so many things that the author did RIGHT in the first half of the book and neglected those things in the second half. Because of that, I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending.
All in all, the book was not horrible, but there was a lot of lost potential.
ashleyfleming4's review
4.0
"I don’t know. I was thinking of maybe you and me together in a place where we don’t know anyone.”
“Oh,” Kate said, confusion plain in her voice. “Why would we want to be in a place where we don’t know anyone?”
But Peter couldn’t say why, because he didn’t know. Sometimes he thought of himself hiking in unfamiliar terrain, reaching a summit and not recognizing any of the landmarks below. The feeling was exhilarating.
“Oh,” Kate said, confusion plain in her voice. “Why would we want to be in a place where we don’t know anyone?”
But Peter couldn’t say why, because he didn’t know. Sometimes he thought of himself hiking in unfamiliar terrain, reaching a summit and not recognizing any of the landmarks below. The feeling was exhilarating.
the_escape_artist_'s review
4.0
A really well written book about trauma and forgiveness and family. I really enjoyed reading it. There isn’t a villain or a hero, just people dealing with impossible circumstances
celticthistle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
_nyhomie's review
5.0
This book tore me apart in a way that was completely unfamiliar. I’m no stranger to family dramas, but the perspectives and timelines of this book really make it one of the best I’ve read in awhile. Wow.
emmalevs's review
5.0
This is a book that so carefully dips in and out of its characters' ends and beginnings. The end of one relationship, the beginning of a new life. Endings are never as simple as they appear, and I appreciate Keane's ability to explore that fact through such raw, heartfelt prose. This is a book that begins in 1973 and ends in 2017, yet it feels quick, like a flash of light, because our lives behave in such the same way. I feel quite affected by this one.
bestkasescenario's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved it! I liked how the author switched between perspectives & the timeline kept it really interesting. Not giving 5 stars because the ending felt rushed & I feel like it could’ve been more detailed. Overall a great read, I’d recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Rape, Infertility, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Violence