Scan barcode
cecile87's review
4.0
Lyrical. Lots of atmosphere. Painterly scenes. Melancholy when not downright sad. Claustrophobic. Accurate depictions of the frustration of trying to communicate and be understood. Although I found Frankie nervewracking, I understood the sense of being trapped and alone or disconnected.
I appreciate the literary history of this story, but I'm glad it was short. I found spots slow or overdrawn and repetitive, which may have been deliberate, but I was glad to be done with the story and on the other side of the wedding.
I appreciate the literary history of this story, but I'm glad it was short. I found spots slow or overdrawn and repetitive, which may have been deliberate, but I was glad to be done with the story and on the other side of the wedding.
lvenning's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ec_newman's review
4.0
This is the longest short book I’ve ever read methinks. It’s incredibly good, but there is a part of me that feels like I might have missed things. It’s literary in the way that descriptions and sentences go on, but there is some plot as well.
Coming of age is probably the best descriptor, but I can’t imagine recommending it to any but my most sensitive, literary-minded students.
It was a nice introduction to McCullers for me.
Coming of age is probably the best descriptor, but I can’t imagine recommending it to any but my most sensitive, literary-minded students.
It was a nice introduction to McCullers for me.
nichecase's review
5.0
something tragic and heavy is in the air of this book - and it's not an event, exactly (though the war looms ominously and the death of berenice's first husband, and the bad decisions she's made since, are ever-present), but the limitations placed on these characters. even frankie's attempts to escape society-as-she-knows-it (by taking on another identity) are ruinous and tragic and eventually fail. nothing turns out right in this book - though frankie chooses conformity and therefore happiness, the events of the book prior to this seem to confirm that this will not happen. not yet, at least.
pwc1919's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
martinento's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
zoe_maria's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
book_concierge's review
4.0
Twelve-year-old Frankie Adams is bored with life and longing for adventure, for a sense of belonging to something “bigger.” When her older brother comes home on leave from the Army, to marry his girlfriend Janice, she becomes obsessed with the wedding and what it may mean for her own future.
Carson McCullers has a way of writing her characters that draws the reader into their very souls. Frankie’s journey through this phase of adolescence is at once painfully distressing, funny and charming. I was, in turns, afraid for Frankie and amused by her. I was – with some wincing – reminded of my own foibles at this age. That headlong rush to “grow up” to be part of an adult world that I didn’t quite understand but SOOOoo wanted to join. That in-between age when I still enjoyed the games of childhood and younger cousins, but also wanted to be accepted by the older teens and included in their dances, parties and secret societies.
I listened to the audio which I got through my library’s Overdrive connection. It is wonderfully acted by Ruby Dee, Jena Malone and Victor Mack, however, it’s an audio of the PLAY, not of the novel. I immediately picked up the text of the novel and read it through in a day.
Carson McCullers has a way of writing her characters that draws the reader into their very souls. Frankie’s journey through this phase of adolescence is at once painfully distressing, funny and charming. I was, in turns, afraid for Frankie and amused by her. I was – with some wincing – reminded of my own foibles at this age. That headlong rush to “grow up” to be part of an adult world that I didn’t quite understand but SOOOoo wanted to join. That in-between age when I still enjoyed the games of childhood and younger cousins, but also wanted to be accepted by the older teens and included in their dances, parties and secret societies.
I listened to the audio which I got through my library’s Overdrive connection. It is wonderfully acted by Ruby Dee, Jena Malone and Victor Mack, however, it’s an audio of the PLAY, not of the novel. I immediately picked up the text of the novel and read it through in a day.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Digital audiobook performed by Jena Malone, Ruby Dee and Victor Mack (Recording of a live performance of LA Theatreworks)
Twelve-year-old Frankie Adams is bored with life and longing for adventure, for a sense of belonging to something “bigger.” When her older brother comes home on leave from the Army, to marry his girlfriend Janice, she becomes obsessed with the wedding and what it may mean for her own future.
This is the stage adaptation of Carson McCullers classic coming-of-age novel.
Carson McCullers has a way of writing her characters that draws the reader into their very souls. Frankie’s journey through this phase of adolescence is at once painfully distressing, funny and charming. I was, in turns, afraid for Frankie and amused by her.
I listened to the audio which is wonderfully acted by Ruby Dee, Jena Malone and Victor Mack. These talented actors really bring the characters to life. Ruby Dee plays Berenice, the family maid, who tries her best to guide Frankie. Jena Malone is perfect as the adolescent Frankie, full of dreams and plans one minute, and wallowing in misery the next.
Twelve-year-old Frankie Adams is bored with life and longing for adventure, for a sense of belonging to something “bigger.” When her older brother comes home on leave from the Army, to marry his girlfriend Janice, she becomes obsessed with the wedding and what it may mean for her own future.
This is the stage adaptation of Carson McCullers classic coming-of-age novel.
Carson McCullers has a way of writing her characters that draws the reader into their very souls. Frankie’s journey through this phase of adolescence is at once painfully distressing, funny and charming. I was, in turns, afraid for Frankie and amused by her.
I listened to the audio which is wonderfully acted by Ruby Dee, Jena Malone and Victor Mack. These talented actors really bring the characters to life. Ruby Dee plays Berenice, the family maid, who tries her best to guide Frankie. Jena Malone is perfect as the adolescent Frankie, full of dreams and plans one minute, and wallowing in misery the next.