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deannamartin113's review against another edition
1.0
I’ll be honest, I only got through half of the book. It was a gift. Things Ms. Beattie could’ve done to make this book better:
1. Hire a ghost writer.
2. Hire an editor.
3. Buy and USE a thesaurus.
4. Oh, actually write about Maine - since it’s in the title!
However, I am using several of her sentences in my middle school grammar class as examples of bad writing, bad form, and uninspiring word usage and the kids are having a ball re-writing them. It’s a hoot.
1. Hire a ghost writer.
2. Hire an editor.
3. Buy and USE a thesaurus.
4. Oh, actually write about Maine - since it’s in the title!
However, I am using several of her sentences in my middle school grammar class as examples of bad writing, bad form, and uninspiring word usage and the kids are having a ball re-writing them. It’s a hoot.
thoughtcouture's review
Is it just me, or are these stories…not good? They feel unfinished and directionless, which the author mistakes for literary-ness. At more than halfway, I should have enjoyed one story by now, but haven’t. I’d rather spend my time elsewhere.
samiann's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kimbersul's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this more than I did. Maine was incidental to the stories and that's where the majority of my disconnect lies. I could have overlooked that but the stories just seemed meh..
scubacat's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh... the stories that focused on Jocelyn were mildly interesting. Everything else was dull and uninspired. I felt like the author was trying to impress us with her stream-of-consciousness writing and "every man" characters, but all she did was put me to sleep. I'm happy it's over.
dcmr's review against another edition
2.0
Years ago Ann Beattie made me appreciate short stories. I've savored every one of her books . . . but this one has me lost. I feel like I'm the outsider who walked into a party with a series of mid-conversations with people I don't know, who won't let me in.
plaidpladd's review against another edition
4.0
I needed to read a book set in Maine, and this was a good one!
deannamartin113's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.5
This book is poorly written and immensely boring. It has literally nothing to do with Maine, except the fact that the author’s family vacationed there.