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jenbsbooks's Reviews (2.41k)
I'd picked up a physical copy of this book at a library book sale (quite a few copies as it had been a "Reader's Choice" book. When it was one that could fulfill a GoodReads Seasonal Challenge (Armchair Explorer, May/June2025) I moved it up my TBR.
It was fine, some interesting background on a circus (popularized a bit by "The Greatest Showman" too) and the various acts. Some insights into polio (one of the older ladies I Zumba with had polio as a child), some of the basic WW2 tropes/history. I never felt really pulled into the story, really caring about the characters and their situations ... more pushing through to finish.
3rd person/Past tense ... mainly from Lena and Alexandre's POV, but we also get Horace a few times (the circus owner), Lena's father, and a few others. Three "parts" with 48 chronological chapters running throughout. I appreciated the extras ... author's note, a discussion with the author, some discussion questions.
No proFanity.
Other words I notice: plethora, bespoke, accoutrements, pogrom, riffled, scant, career(careen), snuck, nascent, cerulean
It was fine, some interesting background on a circus (popularized a bit by "The Greatest Showman" too) and the various acts. Some insights into polio (one of the older ladies I Zumba with had polio as a child), some of the basic WW2 tropes/history. I never felt really pulled into the story, really caring about the characters and their situations ... more pushing through to finish.
3rd person/Past tense ... mainly from Lena and Alexandre's POV, but we also get Horace a few times (the circus owner), Lena's father, and a few others. Three "parts" with 48 chronological chapters running throughout. I appreciated the extras ... author's note, a discussion with the author, some discussion questions.
No proFanity.
Other words I notice: plethora, bespoke, accoutrements, pogrom, riffled, scant, career(careen), snuck, nascent, cerulean
I've gotten into the Goodreads Seasonal Challenges ... the last reveal for May/June was "Rainbow Reads" so I looked over the qualifying books and, I'm always a sucker for "what if" and "alternate timeline" types of tales, so I grabbed this.
I don't really avoid LGBT reads, well, maybe a little (just not really my preferred genre), it's not something I seek out, unless it's for a challenge (like here). Ironically, I just read "The Vanishing Half" which I picked for the Centennial reads, but it ended up registering for the Rainbow Reads instead (which is okay, I have a backup title for that group). I had been thinking "my last book had a ton about transgender too!" but couldn't figure out why that hadn't registered ;)
This was written 1st person, present tense ... I'm not a huge fan of present tense, but it reads easier in 1st person than 3rd person. All from the POV of Darby. Born a girl but not feeling like a girl, crushing on a friend/Michael, not connecting with other LGBT until after leaving for college. Transitioning. Now returning home.
I liked the whole "walk into the bookstore and it's 2009, young Darby is there working" ... the idea of maybe being able to say something to your younger self that might help the future flow more smoothly (there's a Netflix movie "My Old Ass" ...) If young Darby had known that there were others out there, feeling some of the same things, being able to recognize/put a name to these feelings, would that have helped?
This did shine a light on some of the struggles of LGBT youth, that of course I feel like I realize, but it made it a bit more real to me, seeing it in a story setting. The confusion, feelings of isolation, the relief of finding others out there on the same page so one doesn't feel so alone.
On the one hand, the final chapters had a few little profound tidbits ... although they also could feel a bit "after school special" ... I liked how it resolved things in the end.
Profanity x23 ... some sex, but it was almost closed door.
I don't really avoid LGBT reads, well, maybe a little (just not really my preferred genre), it's not something I seek out, unless it's for a challenge (like here). Ironically, I just read "The Vanishing Half" which I picked for the Centennial reads, but it ended up registering for the Rainbow Reads instead (which is okay, I have a backup title for that group). I had been thinking "my last book had a ton about transgender too!" but couldn't figure out why that hadn't registered ;)
This was written 1st person, present tense ... I'm not a huge fan of present tense, but it reads easier in 1st person than 3rd person. All from the POV of Darby. Born a girl but not feeling like a girl, crushing on a friend/Michael, not connecting with other LGBT until after leaving for college. Transitioning. Now returning home.
I liked the whole "walk into the bookstore and it's 2009, young Darby is there working" ... the idea of maybe being able to say something to your younger self that might help the future flow more smoothly (there's a Netflix movie "My Old Ass" ...) If young Darby had known that there were others out there, feeling some of the same things, being able to recognize/put a name to these feelings, would that have helped?
This did shine a light on some of the struggles of LGBT youth, that of course I feel like I realize, but it made it a bit more real to me, seeing it in a story setting. The confusion, feelings of isolation, the relief of finding others out there on the same page so one doesn't feel so alone.
On the one hand, the final chapters had a few little profound tidbits ... although they also could feel a bit "after school special" ... I liked how it resolved things in the end.
Profanity x23 ... some sex, but it was almost closed door.
This started off really strong, pulled me in ... starting with Desiree and her daughter returning to town, then jumping back in time to when Desiree and her sister were younger, giving the background. 3rd person/Past tense ... a number of different POVs.
It was a bit choppy. In text, there were ----- breaking up sections within the chapters. There were six PARTS with chronological chapters running throughout (17 of them, long chapters).
1. The Lost Twins (1968)
2. Maps (1978)
3. Heartlines (1968)
4. The Stage Door (1982)
5. Pacific Cove (1985/1988)
6. Places (1986)
I think I checked out a bit after Part 1 (Desiree) ... Part 2 follows Jude, Desiree's daughter, as she goes off to college. A little bit of Early, still tracking Stella. And Reese ... when Ch5 started I had to stop my audiobook and check the text and remember WHO Reese was (had just been introduced in the last chapter ... I didn't realize he would be enough of a character to get his own chapter, own POV). Part 3 goes back in time, this time following Stella's story. Part 4 ... back to mostly the next generation/the daughters: Jude & Kennedy. Some Stella. Part 5 ... mostly Kennedy, some Jude/Reese.
Part 6 ... some things came together, but seriously, it ended and I was "um ... what? That's the end?"
This checked off one of the GoodReads Challenges May/June2025 Centennial Picks, but I had it on my TBR already. I'd picked up a physical copy at some point (which moved a book up my TBR) and then borrowed the audiobook and Kindle copy from the library (there had been a long hold).
Heavy on the issues ... race, domestic violence, transgender. ProFanity x 7 and some sex, not "spicy" but not closed door.
Words I note: note, rifled, roiling
Phrases: "A flicker in the dark" (read a book with that title), violet eyes (do people really have violet eyes??) Math - always the same answers (a recent read had a character who also liked math for this reason).
No discussion questions included in the book - but I found some online
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576782/the-vanishing-half-by-brit-bennett/9780525536963/readers-guide/
I didn't find myself WANTING to discuss the book though, some stories I just have that urge! I wouldn't mind having a discussion about the title, and how it ties in (the obvious " lost" twin half, vanishing into whiteness? The half that melts back into Mallard, or later, into Alzheimer's?
I don't think I'd go out of my way to recommend the book. I'll be passing on the physical copy in my Little Free Library (if I really love a book, I like to hang onto it). I think I'll keep a vague memory of the saga.
It was a bit choppy. In text, there were ----- breaking up sections within the chapters. There were six PARTS with chronological chapters running throughout (17 of them, long chapters).
1. The Lost Twins (1968)
2. Maps (1978)
3. Heartlines (1968)
4. The Stage Door (1982)
5. Pacific Cove (1985/1988)
6. Places (1986)
I think I checked out a bit after Part 1 (Desiree) ... Part 2 follows Jude, Desiree's daughter, as she goes off to college. A little bit of Early, still tracking Stella. And Reese ... when Ch5 started I had to stop my audiobook and check the text and remember WHO Reese was (had just been introduced in the last chapter ... I didn't realize he would be enough of a character to get his own chapter, own POV). Part 3 goes back in time, this time following Stella's story. Part 4 ... back to mostly the next generation/the daughters: Jude & Kennedy. Some Stella. Part 5 ... mostly Kennedy, some Jude/Reese.
Part 6 ... some things came together, but seriously, it ended and I was "um ... what? That's the end?"
This checked off one of the GoodReads Challenges May/June2025 Centennial Picks, but I had it on my TBR already. I'd picked up a physical copy at some point (which moved a book up my TBR) and then borrowed the audiobook and Kindle copy from the library (there had been a long hold).
Heavy on the issues ... race, domestic violence, transgender. ProFanity x 7 and some sex, not "spicy" but not closed door.
Words I note: note, rifled, roiling
Phrases: "A flicker in the dark" (read a book with that title), violet eyes (do people really have violet eyes??) Math - always the same answers (a recent read had a character who also liked math for this reason).
No discussion questions included in the book - but I found some online
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576782/the-vanishing-half-by-brit-bennett/9780525536963/readers-guide/
I didn't find myself WANTING to discuss the book though, some stories I just have that urge! I wouldn't mind having a discussion about the title, and how it ties in (the obvious " lost" twin half, vanishing into whiteness? The half that melts back into Mallard, or later, into Alzheimer's?
I don't think I'd go out of my way to recommend the book. I'll be passing on the physical copy in my Little Free Library (if I really love a book, I like to hang onto it). I think I'll keep a vague memory of the saga.
This was a book club pick ... I don't think it's one I would have picked up on my own. I got both the audiobook and Kindle copy, and there's an abridged full-cast audio I may yet try. At this point, I've done my initial listen, and I ended up liking this, and can foresee some decent discussion at book club. I think I'll need to do a re-read, making notes/highlights to prep. I like the "deeper dive" I do for book club books. But for now, just some thoughts ...
This is an older book ... I was surprised it still seems to be in demand at the libraries. I was lucky to get it in time for my book club deadline. Expensive to purchase (some older books end up being free or very inexpensive, not the case here).
At first I was a little confused at the shifts in the storyline ... but it's interconnected short stories. I just re-read the first chapter and can see all the stories to come mentioned there. There are basic "chapters" listed to break up the audio into sections, but NO chapters, Table of Contents in the Kindle edition. This makes it really hard for me to navigate between formats! I don't understand the lack of a TOC/Chapters. I'll need to make my own little list of the stories, the happiness machine, planting grass, the green machine, the old Colonel ...
I liked how the stories were intertwined, and how Douglas and Tom bridged them all. I think my rating is a bit more of an anticipatory one, not one I would have appreciated as much out of a book club/school setting ...
Very possibly will be updating this review ;)
This is an older book ... I was surprised it still seems to be in demand at the libraries. I was lucky to get it in time for my book club deadline. Expensive to purchase (some older books end up being free or very inexpensive, not the case here).
At first I was a little confused at the shifts in the storyline ... but it's interconnected short stories. I just re-read the first chapter and can see all the stories to come mentioned there. There are basic "chapters" listed to break up the audio into sections, but NO chapters, Table of Contents in the Kindle edition. This makes it really hard for me to navigate between formats! I don't understand the lack of a TOC/Chapters. I'll need to make my own little list of the stories, the happiness machine, planting grass, the green machine, the old Colonel ...
I liked how the stories were intertwined, and how Douglas and Tom bridged them all. I think my rating is a bit more of an anticipatory one, not one I would have appreciated as much out of a book club/school setting ...
Very possibly will be updating this review ;)
slow-paced
Goodreads has Seasonal Challenges, where you have to pick a book off a specific list. I picked this for the May/June 2025 Heritage (Asian/Islander Authors) ribbon. Unfortunately ... ehhh.
First and foremost, I'm not a fan of 3rd person/Present tense. Unless it's written REALLY well (Fredrick Bachman can do it) it feels awkward, almost like a play ... or written for the screen. Ironic here, right? I was always aware of the present tense, yet the distance of the 3rd person. In audio, they had two narrators, one male one female, for the two MC POVs. That probably was a good thing, but again, felt very unnatural with the 3rd person. Then there was this really strange switch, a bit of 2nd person? You (Grant "talking" to Helen but not presented as dialog, "You" ... just weird).
SAYS was said SO MANY times. 1211 ... not taken from the book, just for example
"Hi" he says.
"Hello" she says.
"Are you having a good day?" he says.
"It's fine" she says.
"Glad the sun is out" he says.
"I don't mind the clouds" she says.
I think the SAYS may have been made even more obvious in the audiobook. I was so sick of SAYS.
Helen and her parents thinking of Grand as a "murderer" ... oh come on! They should have been bending over backward apologizing to HIM for their selfish daughter/sister jumping in front of his car and scarring him for life!
... and where was this stretch of road, so easily accessible for a pedestrian, where the cars are going 65 mph, and at 2:00 am there are tons of witnesses around to see the accident?
... and once upon a time, maybe I was one to seek out the "sexy scenes" in books. I'm not sure when it changed, or if the writing has changed over the years, to where it's "ewwww" now as everything is described in detail. I do not like "spicy/explicit" and this was well over my limit.
ProFanity x119
GoodReads challenge fail ... not one I'm glad I was encouraged to read.
First and foremost, I'm not a fan of 3rd person/Present tense. Unless it's written REALLY well (Fredrick Bachman can do it) it feels awkward, almost like a play ... or written for the screen. Ironic here, right? I was always aware of the present tense, yet the distance of the 3rd person. In audio, they had two narrators, one male one female, for the two MC POVs. That probably was a good thing, but again, felt very unnatural with the 3rd person. Then there was this really strange switch, a bit of 2nd person? You (Grant "talking" to Helen but not presented as dialog, "You" ... just weird).
SAYS was said SO MANY times. 1211 ... not taken from the book, just for example
"Hi" he says.
"Hello" she says.
"Are you having a good day?" he says.
"It's fine" she says.
"Glad the sun is out" he says.
"I don't mind the clouds" she says.
I think the SAYS may have been made even more obvious in the audiobook. I was so sick of SAYS.
Helen and her parents thinking of Grand as a "murderer" ... oh come on! They should have been bending over backward apologizing to HIM for their selfish daughter/sister jumping in front of his car and scarring him for life!
... and where was this stretch of road, so easily accessible for a pedestrian, where the cars are going 65 mph, and at 2:00 am there are tons of witnesses around to see the accident?
... and once upon a time, maybe I was one to seek out the "sexy scenes" in books. I'm not sure when it changed, or if the writing has changed over the years, to where it's "ewwww" now as everything is described in detail. I do not like "spicy/explicit" and this was well over my limit.
ProFanity x119
GoodReads challenge fail ... not one I'm glad I was encouraged to read.
I've enjoyed several of JoJo Moyes books ... this one was "ehhh". It was fine, I had no trouble finishing, but it's not one that will stick in my memory at all. Contemporary/Realistic, set in the UK. 3rd person//Present tense ... and that combo felt awkward (Fredrick Bachman can do it but I was always very aware of it here).
95% of the POV was Lila's ... as she's dealing with her divorce, raising her two daughters, her mother's passing, her step-father moving in, her estranged father showing up, a new love interest ... But then there were a few chapters (not labeled in the Table of Contents, just simple numeric chapters in Kindle, audio TOC did show different POVs, thank you, very helpful!) from the daughter, Celia's POV (ch 6, 12, 18, 20, 26, 31, 39) and one from Francesca (ch 35) and this one chapter was in past tense (as it was from the past). The switch to Celia, while marked in a header, always threw me, I wasn't sure why the shifting POV was included, it just didn't really add much, except distraction ("Mum" ... so now that's Lila, not Lila's "mum" which is Celia's grandmother). While never labeled, the POV did seem to switch to Gene a few times.
The romance was pretty stereotypical for a story, no real surprises. Sexual content was mild (to my memory). ProFanity x14.
95% of the POV was Lila's ... as she's dealing with her divorce, raising her two daughters, her mother's passing, her step-father moving in, her estranged father showing up, a new love interest ... But then there were a few chapters (not labeled in the Table of Contents, just simple numeric chapters in Kindle, audio TOC did show different POVs, thank you, very helpful!) from the daughter, Celia's POV (ch 6, 12, 18, 20, 26, 31, 39) and one from Francesca (ch 35) and this one chapter was in past tense (as it was from the past). The switch to Celia, while marked in a header, always threw me, I wasn't sure why the shifting POV was included, it just didn't really add much, except distraction ("Mum" ... so now that's Lila, not Lila's "mum" which is Celia's grandmother). While never labeled, the POV did seem to switch to Gene a few times.
The romance was pretty stereotypical for a story, no real surprises. Sexual content was mild (to my memory). ProFanity x14.
I'd had a copy of this on my home bookshelf ... one I'd had my eye on back in the days when I was looking for books for my boys (reluctant readers). I enjoyed this as an adult, and it would have been one I'd hope the boys might like (they are grown now).
Set in 1935, it does offer some history. Of Alcatraz, of Al Capone, of what life was like during the depression days. First person (our MC is 13 year old Matthew "Moose"), past tense, very easy conversational style. Matthew's sister Natalie is autistic ... although autism hasn't been defined at that date. The story revolves around her as much as anything else.
Three parts, with chronological chapters running through (40 of them). Each chapter had a header, and these were included in the Kindle Table of Contents, but not the audiobook (I wish they had been included there too). The physical book HAS a TOC! With headers! Both Kindle/physical have a map of Alcatraz Island. There is a very informative author's note (which happily was included in the audio). The Kindle copy has some additional interviews/photos and bibliography of sources.
I didn't get around to stopping to jot down any notes - I do remember Oliver Sacks being mentioned in the author's notes (read one of book of his last December for Book Club).
First in a series ... if I was the target audience, I'd likely continue on with the series. I'm not sure I will as an adult with thousands of books on my TBR ...
Set in 1935, it does offer some history. Of Alcatraz, of Al Capone, of what life was like during the depression days. First person (our MC is 13 year old Matthew "Moose"), past tense, very easy conversational style. Matthew's sister Natalie is autistic ... although autism hasn't been defined at that date. The story revolves around her as much as anything else.
Three parts, with chronological chapters running through (40 of them). Each chapter had a header, and these were included in the Kindle Table of Contents, but not the audiobook (I wish they had been included there too). The physical book HAS a TOC! With headers! Both Kindle/physical have a map of Alcatraz Island. There is a very informative author's note (which happily was included in the audio). The Kindle copy has some additional interviews/photos and bibliography of sources.
I didn't get around to stopping to jot down any notes - I do remember Oliver Sacks being mentioned in the author's notes (read one of book of his last December for Book Club).
First in a series ... if I was the target audience, I'd likely continue on with the series. I'm not sure I will as an adult with thousands of books on my TBR ...
I'd had this book on my list for a bit ... I'd even happened upon a physical copy during thrift store shopping. I was happy when it was selected as the Book Club pick for my local group. Amazon exclusive (not available from the library), but the Kindle copy was available as part of Prime Reading, and I borrowed the audio on my AmazonMusic trial (one audiobook a month included).
My thoughts during/upon finishing ... ehhh. It was fine. I think I struggled with the audio a bit, the male narrator's voice just didn't match the character for me, and then the female narrator voiced both Billie in the present (1st person/present tense) and Sally (past tense/3rd person). I felt like Sally needed her own voice, not Billie's voice. It would have been a deal-breaker if the Sally sections had been 1st person.
This had the ploy of starting at an exciting spot in the story "the old woman lets out a scream, raises her gun ... and shoots me." It's labeled "Prologue" ... but it's a "preview". And then Chapter 1 is Two Weeks Earlier. I don't know, I get so sick of this "technique" ... I can understand it, "let's hook the reader right away" but honestly, it's just annoying to me. A spoiler. And in this book, it's repeated, paragraphs, in Chapter 15, when the story catches up to that "preview" point.
We have POVs of Finn, Billie and Sally (the first two 1st person/present tense, Sally's story from the past in 3rd person/past tense). In the Kindle Table of Contents, some of the chapter's headers are included (showing when/dates) but not the POV. The audiobook had just the numerical chapters listed, not even showing that the book was broken into two parts. The paperback didn't even deign to provide a TOC (per usual for novels today).
I was much more interested in Sally's life history than the present day, well, 1998, stuff (there are actually three timelines, past/1998 and the present, which is, today?) ... the reveal was pretty obvious from the start. Chapter 15 ... a repeat of paragraphs in the prologue. Chapter 17 ... did I miss something?? "Her account" without telling us/the reader what Sally's account was (it comes later). Ch26 was "Years and Years Later" ?? Again, SPOILER ...
With Book Club books, I'll often try to delve a little deeper than just a quick audio experience for enjoyment. No discussion questions in the book, and I couldn't find any online. We'll see if I can get in a re-read (with my eyes, just glancing through for the review I feel like I was connecting a bit better reading than listening) and what comes up for discussion at book club.
No proFanity. There is some sex, but nothing explicit.
My thoughts during/upon finishing ... ehhh. It was fine. I think I struggled with the audio a bit, the male narrator's voice just didn't match the character for me, and then the female narrator voiced both Billie in the present (1st person/present tense) and Sally (past tense/3rd person). I felt like Sally needed her own voice, not Billie's voice. It would have been a deal-breaker if the Sally sections had been 1st person.
This had the ploy of starting at an exciting spot in the story "the old woman lets out a scream, raises her gun ... and shoots me." It's labeled "Prologue" ... but it's a "preview". And then Chapter 1 is Two Weeks Earlier. I don't know, I get so sick of this "technique" ... I can understand it, "let's hook the reader right away" but honestly, it's just annoying to me. A spoiler. And in this book, it's repeated, paragraphs, in Chapter 15, when the story catches up to that "preview" point.
We have POVs of Finn, Billie and Sally (the first two 1st person/present tense, Sally's story from the past in 3rd person/past tense). In the Kindle Table of Contents, some of the chapter's headers are included (showing when/dates) but not the POV. The audiobook had just the numerical chapters listed, not even showing that the book was broken into two parts. The paperback didn't even deign to provide a TOC (per usual for novels today).
I was much more interested in Sally's life history than the present day, well, 1998, stuff (there are actually three timelines, past/1998 and the present, which is, today?) ... the reveal was pretty obvious from the start. Chapter 15 ... a repeat of paragraphs in the prologue. Chapter 17 ... did I miss something?? "Her account" without telling us/the reader what Sally's account was (it comes later). Ch26 was "Years and Years Later" ?? Again, SPOILER ...
With Book Club books, I'll often try to delve a little deeper than just a quick audio experience for enjoyment. No discussion questions in the book, and I couldn't find any online. We'll see if I can get in a re-read (with my eyes, just glancing through for the review I feel like I was connecting a bit better reading than listening) and what comes up for discussion at book club.
No proFanity. There is some sex, but nothing explicit.
I liked this ... 3.5 stars. I'd seen so many rave reviews, maybe I was expecting something more?
I borrowed the audio and the Kindle copy from the library. There are five parts ...
1. Gabriel,
2. Bobby,
3. Jimmy
4.Frank
5. Grace
Withing the parts, there were continuous numerical chapters (60 total) ... and these chapters shifted between time periods "Before: starting in 1955" and the "present-ish" 1968 and The Trial (1969) so, later than "the present". All three storylines were told in the present tense. For me? Even though the chapters were labeled, as I was listening to the audio, sometimes I'd miss the one second statement of "Before" or "1968" and then I'd be thinking to myself "wait, are we in the past portion, or the "now"??" I couldn't help but wonder if my experience would have been improved if the "Before" had been told in past tense ... just to provide more distinction and, it's logical, the past, in past tense! I was grateful that the headers were included in the Table of Contents on the audiobook, so that I could stop and look at my phone to determine which timeline we were in. All 1st person - Beth's perspective.
The "future" ... the trial (and the twists) honestly, it annoyed me. The purposeful misleading and obscurity. We/the reader don't know who was killed or who is on trial and it's so drawn out.
I think I struggled a bit with the characters and their choices too.
SPOILERS We didn't really know how Bobby died (that obscurity, purposefully misleading us, thinking that maybe it was a shooting), a bit of a relief when the accident finally happened. It was sad (and I'd just read Freckles a couple months ago, tree falling accident there too). When the final confrontation happened, I wasn't surprised at all that it was Luke, I had suspected that a bit before. I really did NOT get them having Frank take the fall. Hiding it all might have been worse for the boy in the long run, beyond destroying everyone else's life. Then there was the twist that Bobby had been Gabriel's son ... I actually hadn't seen that, although I probably should have. The pregnancy then, the pregnancy "now" ... that's when I got really confused with the timeline jumping around so much.
So - I didn't really feel the urge to stop and highlight portions or take notes. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to recommend it. I wasn't dying to discuss it ... I looked up some "book club questions" on Google.
ProFanity x3 ... some sex, nothing super explicit but not closed door.
I borrowed the audio and the Kindle copy from the library. There are five parts ...
1. Gabriel,
2. Bobby,
3. Jimmy
4.Frank
5. Grace
Withing the parts, there were continuous numerical chapters (60 total) ... and these chapters shifted between time periods "Before: starting in 1955" and the "present-ish" 1968 and The Trial (1969) so, later than "the present". All three storylines were told in the present tense. For me? Even though the chapters were labeled, as I was listening to the audio, sometimes I'd miss the one second statement of "Before" or "1968" and then I'd be thinking to myself "wait, are we in the past portion, or the "now"??" I couldn't help but wonder if my experience would have been improved if the "Before" had been told in past tense ... just to provide more distinction and, it's logical, the past, in past tense! I was grateful that the headers were included in the Table of Contents on the audiobook, so that I could stop and look at my phone to determine which timeline we were in. All 1st person - Beth's perspective.
The "future" ... the trial (and the twists) honestly, it annoyed me. The purposeful misleading and obscurity. We/the reader don't know who was killed or who is on trial and it's so drawn out.
I think I struggled a bit with the characters and their choices too.
SPOILERS
So - I didn't really feel the urge to stop and highlight portions or take notes. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to recommend it. I wasn't dying to discuss it ... I looked up some "book club questions" on Google.
ProFanity x3 ... some sex, nothing super explicit but not closed door.
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
I'm not sure why, but I've read several books about Antarctic expeditions - about Shackleton and the Endurance, and about Franklin. As I embarked on #middlegradeMay2025, I figured I wouldn't get any/many non-fiction books in. I don't know WHY I thought that. After finding one middle grade nonfiction, I specifically searched out some others and this one popped up.
The library had audio, and a physical copy. No Kindle copy. Amazon doesn't show a Kindle copy. I put the physical copy on hold and picked it up, but still went with the audio to start. After listening, I did a quick re-read/skim of the book. Lots of photographs and I think maybe one that would be appreciated more reading than listening?
This never screamed "middle grade" to me ... it felt very educational, but did not overly simplify things or dumb anything down. Just presented, clear and concise and interesting. I had remembered several things from my previous reads ("to our wives and sweethearts, may they never meet!" ... the dogs, getting stuck, scurvy, frozen feet, the trek out) but this was a good refresher, and would be a great presentation of the facts for an initial introduction to the subject. The photos really added a "real" touch, I was surprised how many pictures there were (that back when this happened they had a photographer with them).
Definite thumbs up for anyone interested in the subject. It was a little dry at the start ... it took a bit for me to get pulled in, but I did.
The library had audio, and a physical copy. No Kindle copy. Amazon doesn't show a Kindle copy. I put the physical copy on hold and picked it up, but still went with the audio to start. After listening, I did a quick re-read/skim of the book. Lots of photographs and I think maybe one that would be appreciated more reading than listening?
This never screamed "middle grade" to me ... it felt very educational, but did not overly simplify things or dumb anything down. Just presented, clear and concise and interesting. I had remembered several things from my previous reads ("to our wives and sweethearts, may they never meet!" ... the dogs, getting stuck, scurvy, frozen feet, the trek out) but this was a good refresher, and would be a great presentation of the facts for an initial introduction to the subject. The photos really added a "real" touch, I was surprised how many pictures there were (that back when this happened they had a photographer with them).
Definite thumbs up for anyone interested in the subject. It was a little dry at the start ... it took a bit for me to get pulled in, but I did.