Reviews

Not sure if any books I read after this in 2024 will be better. I don't really even know how to describe what happens but I suppose it's the history of a family, of addiction, of our country's inability to take responsibility. Identity in all of its forms are fully part of the narrative, in fact that's the narrative: who are we? The plot, such as it is, is just following the through line of addiction in one family and how each generation handles it. But the tendrils of the story reach out into trauma, queerness, parenthood, abandonment, friendship, and sibling love.

The systems that continue to oppress Native Americans are also very front and center, as is the history of the United States' attempt to eradicate Native culture.

That all sounds really heavy and it is, but Orange's writing is beautifully personal and plain. This made reading even the most painful parts of the story feel as if they were the reader's own thoughts.

Heed all trigger warnings for this book, however.

epbenton's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

danielmedelman's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad medium-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

unfurlthecurl's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

pchopd's review against another edition

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5.0

"People come in and out of your life in a way that feels wrong. The out-of-your life part. Like it cancels out the way they came in if it didn't come to anything. But maybe that's some capitalistic investment-earnings-type bullshit and no one is necessarily meant to stay with you if even just one of you doesn't want it to happen"

"It is a sad thing to let go of. That everything leaves. But life has too many seasons to get caught up about one of them. And other seasons return. So even though it felt for a time like me and Orvil had been brought together by fate, maybe it was included in fate that the us of us was just supposed to be for the time we knew each other. I'm being asked to understand that with some people you love, they just won't end up being a part of your life. I'm being asked a question that seems I can answer only by living"

aj_mooney's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed diving back into the lives that Orange introduced us to in There There. The prequel/sequel element to this book was compelling. Orange's writing is beautiful and complex and it forces you to slow down to really grasp the words before they slip through your mind misunderstood. My one complaint is that the different pov voices didn't feel as distinct in this book as they did in There There. Because of this, I don't feel like I developed a deeper connection with the characters, but my investment in their stories from There There carried me through.

Overall, this is a poignant look at family, generational trauma, addiction, and growing up.

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