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jmrprice's review against another edition
3.0
Goodreads only lists the translation - which I did not read (my French is quite rusty).
Extended families, life and death, characters steeped in stereotypical Irish themes…
Extended families, life and death, characters steeped in stereotypical Irish themes…
jennyluwho's review against another edition
3.0
I was kinda bored, but I see the intent behind the slow-as-molasses way she told the ‘love’ story.
veraizm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rocon18's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
karrama's review against another edition
2.0
It's OK, i'm sure, but starting with a funeral and then telling the story of getting together is just sooo depressing. Not my bag, but well written.
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
2.0
Beautiful writing, but I just couldn't get into the story. This book follows the family and friends of Billy after he dies following a long history of alcohol abuse. Super sad start, but I just couldn't get exciting about it. The whole thing was just blah.
therealbel's review against another edition
3.0
One the slowest reads ever, and I struggled with the first half. By the end though I cared about Billy and Maeve and Dennis and about our nameless narrator. A book of normal people living a simple normal life, plagued with the normal ups and downs we all face. It's touching honesty about the issues associated with alcoholism is the reason I stuck with it though. I'm glad I didn't give up.
lizzie_5678's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“for all the love he'd poured out for friends and family for all the years that he lived, he was never, let's face it, loved sufficiently in return. Not by the one being whose love he most sought, anyway.“
This book is an incredibly melancholic reflection on grief, loss, love and addiction. A heartbreaking story, and McDermott’s writing is what really made me love this book.
This book is an incredibly melancholic reflection on grief, loss, love and addiction. A heartbreaking story, and McDermott’s writing is what really made me love this book.
cawilmoth's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for a book club. It was the hardest 250 page book to finish. It wasn't bad - the writing style just wasn't what I'm used to. There were lots of very descriptive passages about the surroundings and dialogue was kind of jumbled together. I had trouble following which characters were being described.
Also, it wasn't plot driven which is usually the kind of book I go for. So that made it hard for it to hold my attention.
Also, it wasn't plot driven which is usually the kind of book I go for. So that made it hard for it to hold my attention.