Dani

Listened through the first nine stories. Harrowing.

Oh Meryl Streep! A lovely story made more magical by her telling!!!

As someone who has spent a small period of time on the Camino, this brought back fond memories. As a parent of 2 almost teens, so relatable! And as someone who REALLY hopes one day to endeavor on a long walk with a child or two of my own, I absolutely fell in love!

3.5 stars

Super quick read! Captivating plot. Lots of emotions!

3.5-4

What an emotionally stunted group of men?! And to lose a mother so young. So. Much. Damage. It's heartbreaking.

3.5

Sally Rooney's writing is wonderful - so much so I finished this book while simultaneously disliking the characters and not caring much about the story. But the writing!

Perfect vacation read!

3.5 * rounded up.

3.5?

Powers writing is beautiful. This story is smaller and sadder than The Overstory, though just as powerfully written.

One to continue to think on leaving me unsure how to rate this!

Part 1 - I almost abandoned the book. I thought maybe I was too old to understand.
Part 2 - Helped me understand the point of Part 1. And broke my heart.

Probably 2.5 stars. Great idea, funny at times, I did love the dog!

Lovely writing and theme kept me reading. Did not love the story.

I love Robinson's writing.

P. 222
He cleared his throat. “So. ‘Things happen for reasons that are hidden from us, utterly hidden for as long as we think they must proceed from what has come before, our guilt or our deserving, rather than coming to us from a future that God in his freedom offers to us.' My meaning here is that you really can't account for what happens by what has happened in the past, as you understand it anyway...

Very fun, magical read aloud with kiddos.

This is a hopeful book! Robinson introduces us to those most directly affected by current climate change: mostly women, mostly poor, mostly indigenous and/or non-white people and tells us how these people are making the world better for all of us.

The audio narration is fantastic - that bumps it up to 4. In reality this a 3 maybe 3.5 story. Enjoyable enough but not as gripping at The Handmaid's Tale.

Great gift idea for a young woman.

The first 100 pages are 5*.

3.5*
I can relate in some ways to a lot of this book. I was particularly moved by the Marriage section of the book.

3.5 *
quick, engaging read that makes you wonder, “how did I get here?”.

I cannot figure out why it's taken me so long to read this one. I must've started it half a dozen time over the past decade. Now was the time for this story. And I did not want it to end.

Words matter. With brokenness there is beauty. Or is it vice versa?

4 Stars for really good writing.

**spoilers**

I did not enjoy reading this book. Physical, mental, verbal, emotional, spiritual abuse. So much. She does overcome and that's amazing in itself.

While not a particularly happy book, this is a great work in understanding the feeling and struggle of being German immediately following WWII.

*listened on Audible

Story Audio version **

Great reader and sound effects on audio cd's version. Fun family road trip listen. Though I did find the second person annoying, kids (6 & 8) didn't seem to notice or mind.