This book had potential, but its downfall is that it was written by an “essayist and journalist” rather than a historian or sociologist, and that was This book had potential, but its downfall is that it was written by an “essayist and journalist” rather than a historian or sociologist, and that was quite clear.
I could not gather the motivation behind her research methods or structure. There were some interesting historical bits in the beginning, but then the book morphed into a bunch of random examples of women she “spoke with.” How? Why were they chosen? What was the organizational principle here? It reminded me of business books written by leadership coaches and the like, composed of a few grounding themes and then filled out with a bunch of examples from their own clients. Like: ok, cool, but that shouldn’t really qualify as all of your “research.”
She also seemed really scared of being called racist, but to the point that race was never truly interrogated herein; it was treated more like: “and if you think that white lady had it bad, just think about Black women!” And kinda left like that without any meaty sections or chapters undergirding the historical roots at play in a society rife with systemic racism....more
I don’t think Kristin Hannah has ever been more than 4 stars for me. Nothing about her literary prowess makes me pause to read a sentence again for thI don’t think Kristin Hannah has ever been more than 4 stars for me. Nothing about her literary prowess makes me pause to read a sentence again for the deliciousness of it. Nothing about her plot keeps me on the edge of my seat. Nothing about her characters makes me see the world differently. At the same time, it’s always pretty good.
I haven’t read much on Vietnam, so from a historical aspect, this was interesting to dive into. There’s a lot that’s handled expediently in terms of bringing the story together (for example, no way did people that concerned about long-distance phone charges travel so spontaneously and so frequently on transcontinental jet flights in the late 1960s). So yeah, some issues here and there but overall a decent read....more
I found this book refreshingly different. It's unlikely to be your cup of tea if you prioritize characterization, but if you're in the mood for somethI found this book refreshingly different. It's unlikely to be your cup of tea if you prioritize characterization, but if you're in the mood for something "experimental," I recommend it!...more
This book is one big YIKES. It's like somebody wanted to do _Tom Lake_ with an Elin Hilderbrand twist, but widely missed the mark on _Tom Lake_'s trueThis book is one big YIKES. It's like somebody wanted to do _Tom Lake_ with an Elin Hilderbrand twist, but widely missed the mark on _Tom Lake_'s true oxytocin and Hilderbrand's true local color. Mundane details and conversations that will wear you out like the blue stripe disappearing on a toothbrush (I meant this as an actual example, but it works as simile, too).
I did take a mite of comfort in seeing that a woman so shredded by early motherhood could grow to love her children so forcefully. Perhaps by transitive property she'll look back on these early menopausal years with rose-colored glasses, too. (But definitely NOT in the moment!)
It struck me as deeply anti-feminist to write a book that makes menopause out to be such a bogeyman... kind of like telling a pregnant lady horror stories about just how oozing your 4th degree tear was. I'm not saying we should gaslight each other, but it felt detrimental to the whole cause, you know?
DNF at roughly 50%
My rating scale: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m recommending it to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m recommending it selectively ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m not recommending it, but I finished it ⭐️⭐️ I’m not recommending it, and I didn’t want to finish it ⭐️ I’m actively telling people to avoid it ...more
It was quickly clear to me that this was written by a much more immature Bill Bryson than the later stuff that I’m used to. There’s a lot of alcohol aIt was quickly clear to me that this was written by a much more immature Bill Bryson than the later stuff that I’m used to. There’s a lot of alcohol and hangovers, some lewdness, and an undertone of mean-girl cattiness that reminded me of Stanford from “Sex and the City.” It was a little odd coming from the grandad-like, respected professor and scholar I’m used to. Even so, the book was interesting, and I learned a lot about a place I hardly know. His tone (and indeed, his research subjects’ attitude) toward the Aborigines made me uncomfortable and could have been presented more delicately. Also, as a 90s kid who heard constantly about the hole over Australia’s ozone layer in the years preceding this book’s release, I was surprised that themes of sustainability and the environment didn’t come up more.
4 stars—because I would certainly recommend it to anyone considering a trip to Australia.
My rating scale: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m recommending it to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m recommending it selectively ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m not recommending it, but I finished it ⭐️⭐️ I’m not recommending it, and I didn’t want to finish it ⭐️ I’m actively telling people to avoid it...more
As an actor, I read a lot of screenplays. This reminded me of a screenplay. There was so much dialogue—exhaustingly so. Even the non-dialogue felt likAs an actor, I read a lot of screenplays. This reminded me of a screenplay. There was so much dialogue—exhaustingly so. Even the non-dialogue felt like stage instructions. It was tedious as a novel, but I think it could have been a poignant play....more
Part one is written by a Slytherin who thinks he’s a Gryffindor. Part two is written by a Slytherin who thinks he’s a Ravenclaw. The author clearly stPart one is written by a Slytherin who thinks he’s a Gryffindor. Part two is written by a Slytherin who thinks he’s a Ravenclaw. The author clearly still carries a chip on his shoulder about 2016 and those of us who think he “got it wrong” are just ignorant. A tedious book—and who is it for? Mocking voice impressions of all people he quotes = the worst and only made me find him more Slytherin-like (audiobook). Mildly interesting at times; does demonstrate some effort to cite women, but overall the book is intensely male-centric....more
When I started to see this book as Faulkner 2.0, that’s when I was captivated. Before that, it was a bit of a slog of too many characters and too littWhen I started to see this book as Faulkner 2.0, that’s when I was captivated. Before that, it was a bit of a slog of too many characters and too little direction. I think that to “like” this book is to appreciate it for the poignant feelings and local color it spins....more
Bill Bryson's soft storytelling has been putting me to sleep (in a good way) via audiobook for the past month, and now that this book has ended, I'm fBill Bryson's soft storytelling has been putting me to sleep (in a good way) via audiobook for the past month, and now that this book has ended, I'm feeling despondent! I absolutely loved the way it was structured, the breadth of stories told, and Bryson's performance. Bryson has a knack for choosing the perfect word, the cleverest turn of phrase; the reader is left both giggling and entranced. I learned so much from this book and greatly appreciate Bryson's tireless research. Removing one star for the at-times flippant way Bryson treats crime--especially murder--and death. If taught in a modern-day college class, this book would come with some trigger warnings, to be sure. ...more
I wrote a pretty scathing review of this that has now disappeared. Thanks, goodreads ux. The book was awful— arrogant and excessive. Don’t waste your I wrote a pretty scathing review of this that has now disappeared. Thanks, goodreads ux. The book was awful— arrogant and excessive. Don’t waste your time....more
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