jenknox's Reviews (494)

OK, this book began strong. The narrator, the details, the richness of prose. Then it seemed to just kind of lose my interest. I honestly don't think it would've even moved fast enough to keep my attention at all if it hadn't been for the beautiful narration (I listened to this one on audio). But hanging in there, I'd say in all it earned a fair four stars.

There was a touching honesty to this work of fiction that kept me attached to both narrators (the book goes back and forth between the voice of an English woman who has lost her husband and an African refugee with a heartbreaking past, Little Bee). I found the descriptions and the characters' observations (especially Little Bee's) touching and beautifully written.

I see why the description references Darkness Visible. It was well written, but I didn't fall in love with the book the way I thought I might. I recommend it for those who do not have experience with depression, who know someone else that has suffered, because it provides an accurate glimpse.

Only two of these stories really gripped me. The book is worth reading, if only because no story, no matter how gripless, is devoid of Updikes's brilliant, beautiful way with words.

This book should've been condensed into a tight, dynamite essay. There was a heartbreaking but ironic narration that was great at first. But, as a whole book, I began to feel the way I do when I'm watching a comedian onstage telling the same joke again and again, wondering why my drink isn't stronger and whether or not I'll ever get my nachos: restless. I will say that Moore had some beautiful descriptions of food and heartbreaking descriptions of her own body; and I agree with the blurb on the back of the paperback edition that claims her descriptions could "call to mind ... MFK Fisher" but they don't sustain. At least not for me. Self-examination in the form of deprecation turns into self-indulgence quickly in memoirs, and this is a good example.

Simply beautiful. Read it.

This is a book about identity, a girl who seems to rebel against being defined by the things that happen to her rather than who she really is-which, she sets out to find out. I suppose this is what is meant by the term coming-of-age in the truest sense, by defining onesself for onesself. Although the character does not identify herself by name, she comes to identify herself as one who endures.

I found the writing here to be strong and the character very sympathetic, and never pathetic or self-pitying (which is a deal-breaker for me). I felt I was befriending this girl, and I empathized with her, rather than sympathizing for her. My only suggestion is that some of the exposition be a little shorter as it bordered occassionally on being repetitive. But this is a small thing, and it doesn't detract from a great read by a promising young author, whose works I will continue to read, I have the feeling, for years to come. This book caused me to put Wretched, Marple's other work of fiction, on my shortlist, and I look forward to reading and reviewing it soon.