karinsalvucci

First off, I have a weakness for stories about sisters. This book is about a "dysfunctional" family - or is it? Aren't all families dysfunctional in some way or esp. when observed by an outsider. The book puts a lot of stock in birth order- just how important is it or is it just an excuse. Yes the characters are a little too stereotypical in their birth order qualities but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. Father Aiden says to the middle sister" Your story,Bean, is the story of your sisters. And it is past time ,i think for you to stop telling that particular story and the tell the story of yourself and stop defining yourself in terms of them.You do not have to exist int he empty spaces they leave." - interesting ,no? Also the book is about a family of readers- books about books- I cannot help but like it. Again from the book-"In some ways,we have all done this our whole live,searching for a book that will give us the keys to ourselves, let us into a wholly formed personality as though it were a furnished room to let. As though we could walk in and look around and say we'll take it." And of course ,the book is about change or the possibility of it.When I started the book,I wasn't sure that I was going to like it - first I wasn't crazy about the father's penchant for quoting Shakespeare but I got used to it and even developed a soft spot for him as I got to know him. Second, it took me awhile to get into the characters- wasn't sure that I liked them or wanted to spend time with them but then I couldn't put it down because I needed to know how things worked out for them.I also felt that one character was a little too much like me and she irritated me but then we came to terms with each other. It is narrated in the omniscient first person plural and it took me a little while to get used to but then i realized it was the o\perfect tense for this story. It is a very easy read.It is stereotypical at times and perhaps even has simplified tidy endings , BUT I would recommend it .

2023-02-02 16:46