1 to 6 of 6
Review Date: 11/29/2009
Helpful Score: 7
This book takes a little reading before you are drawn into it, but I can't encourage you enough to keep reading. The characters are well developed in their own idiosyncratic ways. The plot is slow, because the plot isn't really what the book is about. And yet by the end, I found myself rooting for the two main characters. While occasionally the dialog of the 12-yr old girl may at times seem unbelievable for a youngster, I decided to read those segments instead as a interlude between chapters to reflect upon some aspect of life. And the child in the girl does come out, eventually. As do the hopes and dreams of the stifled concierge. This book is about so much more than the story line itself - even the title speaks to the metaphors and morals the story has to give.
Review Date: 3/16/2010
Helpful Score: 2
There are a lot of childhood memoirs out there, and there were times that this one just felt like one of the bunch. However, in the end, I do think it stands out. I think what makes it fascinating is seeing Jeannette's slow realization that her parent's were not doing all they could for the children - and her ability to see the good in her parents once she does realize this.
I also wonder how the three eldest siblings, including Jeannette, turn out to be apparently functional, successful adults. It is only the youngest sibling, who did not have the more adventuresome experience out west, who found life more challenging as an adult. Instead of learning to fend for herself and think of it as a self-defining adventure, the youngest sibling learned early on to rely on other local families. What lessons can this teach us about how some of us grown up to overcome the odds, while others struggle to do so?
Definitely worth the read - it's quick and easy. Not a literary masterpiece, but certainly interesting enough in plot, narrative, and sub-themes to be worth your time.
I also wonder how the three eldest siblings, including Jeannette, turn out to be apparently functional, successful adults. It is only the youngest sibling, who did not have the more adventuresome experience out west, who found life more challenging as an adult. Instead of learning to fend for herself and think of it as a self-defining adventure, the youngest sibling learned early on to rely on other local families. What lessons can this teach us about how some of us grown up to overcome the odds, while others struggle to do so?
Definitely worth the read - it's quick and easy. Not a literary masterpiece, but certainly interesting enough in plot, narrative, and sub-themes to be worth your time.
Review Date: 8/29/2009
Helpful Score: 1
it is a pleasure to read a book that is well-written, with thought-out, more 'complex' sentences than many of the good books out there today. there are also many interesting themes - the perspective of well-to-do Indians within their country; an Indian immigrant in an America that doesn't live up to his hopes; a teenage girl trying to understand class differences within romance. there is no sugar-coating in this story. however, despite *wanting* to really love this book, i found i finished it only having an intellectual interest in it. i think that perhaps the characters, although interesting, were not developed well enough to feel connected to them. definitely worth reading for the themes of the story, but not, as others mentioned, for a fun, feel-good read.
Review Date: 8/29/2009
i am so glad i read this book despite the challenging subject matter. it drew me right in despite slightly simplistic writing style. ironically, i finished the book feeling better about humanity.
Review Date: 1/28/2010
Helpful Score: 1
I am still figuring out why I enjoyed this book so much...it's not a plot heavy book, but rather an idea-stimulating book. One in which I could discuss with a book club. There are themes related to how much choice (vs. fate) we have in our lives, how much we have control over actions/words, class relations, race relations, gender relations. Ms. Oates tackled a lot in this book, and so although the plot itself was a bit depressing, I am very glad I read it. Plus, I enjoyed reading the authors comments that are at the end of this particular version of the book.
Review Date: 5/14/2010
I greatly enjoyed the first 1/3 of this book, but then felt it lost its voice. It picked up again towards the end but I felt it never regained the strong characters created in the beginning. An interesting story, nonetheless, and worth reading just for the different setting.
1 to 6 of 6
