Helpful Score: 1
I have read all of Brown's books and I think this is the weakest. It should have been a short story, instead her life just went on and on.... I just finished the novel and can't even remember what "her" the main character's name was, not a good sign. The only thing that kept me reading the book was that it was written by Carrie Brown and I kept thinking/hoping it would do something.
Agree -- Carrie Brown's books have always been "quiet" ones, but she has great powers of lyricism and always seems to be taking a look at lives that I recognize. BUT in this case, the prose seemed not as special as in her other books, the plot more listless and the characters not specifically motivated enough.
2020 - have given this a reread and decide to up the star count. This time I relished all of Brown's strengths on display and didn't mind some of the things I mentioned before. The prose DOES stand up to her other books, even if the plot is a bit more subdued. Sometimes it's all about what's going on in your own life when you read something and this time it was very poignant for me.
2020 - have given this a reread and decide to up the star count. This time I relished all of Brown's strengths on display and didn't mind some of the things I mentioned before. The prose DOES stand up to her other books, even if the plot is a bit more subdued. Sometimes it's all about what's going on in your own life when you read something and this time it was very poignant for me.