This is an ok story, but there were so many things I didn't like about this book. I thought the book would be mostly about the four siblings, but it also devoted much attention on partners, children, children's friends, neighbors, and various other people. Once you add all those people in, there just wasn't much time for character development.
The characters were all selfish and unlikable, making odd decisions that I couldn't relate to at all. Who would pre-spend money from a shared inheritance account when they haven't gotten the money yet?! And even though the siblings were all financially stupid, their partners indulged them. I really can't understand any of their behaviors.
The book also had some technical flaws. It mostly followed a sequential timeline, but sometimes not, so you felt like you were randomly jumping around for no reason (it wasn't too build up suspense or to add to story-telling). At times, there were pronoun reference ambiguity (come on! how is this not caught during editing?). And the way the author explained one of the story lines regarding the publishing world was really hard to understand.
Readaroo Rating: 2 stars
A fun and enjoyable read with engaging, spirited characters. The author has a real knack for writing in a way that just pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. I thought the ending was a little weak, so a star off for that, but overall it's still many notches above a typical "chick-lit". It was an awesome, lighthearted way to spend a summer weekend reading this book!
Readaroo Rating: 4 stars
The lessons themselves are interesting, but I wish there were more discussion on each of the lessons. Since each lesson was so short, it was treated fairly superficially, without the necessary deeper dive or discussion that would bring real insight. Also, the author wrote in a highly pedantic style of writing, with dense and convoluted prose, so it really hard to understand most of it without reading each sentence two or three times.
Readaroo Rating: 3 stars
A timely and relevant book in the era of Trump, it has gone further than any other source in helping me understand the motivations and the feelings of the conservative white working class. The author presents their viewpoint with empathy and kindness, and tries to work through the paradox of why it appears to others as if they are voting against their self-interest. I found this book to be insightful and enlightening, and recommend it as essential for anyone wanting to understand and engage in today's political climate.
Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!
What I loved about this book:
- its explorations of what is truth and reality
- can the core of what it is to be human be changed?
- the easy manipulation of those who do not want to think for themselves
What I disliked about this book:
- it is extremely depressing and hopeless, to the point of being cynical and unrealistic
- its view of relationships, specifically of women, has misogynistic tones
- its characters aren't really likable
- it's heavy-handed in what it's trying to get across
Still, for all of its flaws, it contains a lot of interesting ideas and is a book worth reading.
Readaroo Rating: 4 stars
I liked this book because it was an interesting read, but at the same time, it fell short of my expectations because I didn't learn anything new from it. It was really just one person's view and experience growing up in difficult circumstances, which he overcame through a combination of hard work and loving grandparents & some extended family members. Through the progression of the book, the author slowly realizes that he controls his own future, that he is able to do anything he wants as long as he puts the necessary effort into it. However, I thought he could have gone further in treating the racism, cynicism, inability to honestly critique oneself, and not wanting to believe in facts that plagued others around him, instead of making up unnecessary excuses, which was incredibly frustrating to read.
Readaroo Rating: 3 stars
This was a fascinating read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected going in. Instead of just being tales of wacky people with wacky beliefs, it was really an examination of why we believe what we do, sometimes even in the face of contrary facts. It's a reminder that none of us are ever entirely free of bias.
Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!
