Letitia 7.75 - 8.5
Chose after she heard an interview with Ann Patchett on NPR. Found the hopping back and forth different than previous works of hers but still easily readable. Didn't want to put it down. Could put herself in the scenes. Liked it when the kids got back from their first trip to the lake and realized that they had gotten away with it. Liked the description as they're now being partners in crime that lasted a lifetime. Found it odd that Franny wasn't upset that Leo turned her family's story into a novel. Liked the humor in the story and when Albie stayed with Jeanette in Brooklyn. The guest house scene was funny. As adults they accepted their flawed parents.
Maggie 7.5 - 7.5
Started this a few years ago but abandoned after several chapters. Liked the back and forth of the timeline and thought it a better way to tell than chronologically. Sometimes got confused with all the different kids, although it was easier to follow Bev's since there were only two. Wondered if tripping on Benadryl helped Albie become an addict. Liked how she gently unraveled the mystery of Cal's death. Thought it odd that although Beverly is a fairly major character we don't hear much from her.
Sandy 7.5 - 8
Bert showing up at the shower without a gift showed that he was a control freak. She completely identified with Bev hiding in the linen closet trying to escape her kids and used to do the same in her bathtub. She weathered another situation similar to the book when her dad had an affair with a family friend and suddenly found herself hanging out with quasi step-siblings four years younger than herself. They eventually moved off to Florida and she never saw them again. She knew nothing good was going to happen when the gun showed up. Felt bad for Fix when he couldn't pass the bar, and for Albie being ignored by four incompetent parents.
Pat 8 - 8
Commonwealth: distinct separate interests but from the same source. I thought this was a great title. The roaming narratives were jarring at first but I grew to like them. I loved the opening scene and could tell it was taking place in the 1960s just a paragraph or so in. She did this without resorting to quoting an old TV program or some gimmick, but with sparse description of guests and their interactions. She tells just what you need to know for plot and setting. I enjoyed her style and finished Bel Canto just a couple days after Sandy gave it to me. Will read more of her.
Becky 7.25 - 7.25
The booze coming out of the woodwork at the first arrival of gin at the party reminded Becky of the feeding of the five thousand. She didn't expect that Cal would die. Kept thinking No! No! while Franny escorted Leo to his hotel room; ditto when she took a bus to visit him in Cleveland. The house guest fiasco invoked an inner anger. She found Albie a curious character but liked him and his relationship with Jeanette and her husband in Brooklyn. How sad it was for Albie to realize that the story was about him.
K'Lynn 7.5 - 7.5
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett is one of K'Lynn's top 10 books of all time. It took her a while to get into and it was a slog to keep track of all the characters.
Miles 8.5 - 8.5
Liked the line where Beverly had once found Bert to be the most handsome man in the world but he now appeared as a gargoyle to her. Found Bert to be an asshole and didn't like that many of the characters.
Caroline 6 - 6
Loved the party scene when all were clamoring for oranges. Thought for sure Cal would be shot with the gun. Found it odd that though Franny is a major character, we never are told anything of how she felt about having her life publicized in a novel and movie. She liked Jeanette and was comforted when Teresa felt Cal's presence while meditating in Switzerland. Thought it was sweet that Albie had Franny check on his mom.
Next Book: Gentleman in Moscow
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