I found the first two-thirds of this book pretty compelling. O'Farrell did a good job taking me into Shakespeare's world, and I cared about Agnes a loI found the first two-thirds of this book pretty compelling. O'Farrell did a good job taking me into Shakespeare's world, and I cared about Agnes a lot. So it was disappointing that the final third of the book, after the pivotal event, kind of petered out for me. The big reveal wasn't that big, and man, the writing is overwrought....more
Given the religious themes and irreverent humor, this book was meant for me. But it sorely needed better thematic consistency from beginning to end. TGiven the religious themes and irreverent humor, this book was meant for me. But it sorely needed better thematic consistency from beginning to end. The stories read more like vignettes or comedy bits than an overarching point about religious life or family dynamics of Catholicism or whatever. I enjoyed the ride but not sure it led me outside of a generally pleasant and bizarre cul-de-sac. Also, and perhaps this is par for the course for memoirs, but some of the details struck me as either embellished for comedic effect or just plain false. There is no way her mother saw an ob-gyn who counted in his practice a Dr. WeeWee and Dr. Bosom....more
I love the tenderness with which Elizabeth Strout handles her characters, maybe especially the despicable and cranky ones. She's a keen observer of huI love the tenderness with which Elizabeth Strout handles her characters, maybe especially the despicable and cranky ones. She's a keen observer of human idiosyncrasies and interiority, and she captures small moments between people in poignant ways. I love Olive and feel that I know her, and by knowing and loving a character like Olive, I feel stretched as an imaginative practice to know and love actual people I encounter, even the cranky ones, even myself....more
I'm so glad this book exists, because there are so few stories, fiction and nonfiction, about women without a husband or children who are also not casI'm so glad this book exists, because there are so few stories, fiction and nonfiction, about women without a husband or children who are also not cast into all the awful stereotypes we harbor for unpartnered women. There's a lot here about family and friendship that was vulnerable and touching. I hope this book encourages more women to see their lives as full--not always happy, not without pain, but full, complete....more
You know that feeling when you take a swig of whisky and it burns so bad going down the hatchet and you think it will make you sick or pass out but itYou know that feeling when you take a swig of whisky and it burns so bad going down the hatchet and you think it will make you sick or pass out but it actually gives you the strength of 10,000 horses in wartime? That is what reading this book felt like. ...more
I'm of two minds on this one. Some of the essays in this collection are so incisive (specifically, on sexual violence and rape culture, and 'The Help'I'm of two minds on this one. Some of the essays in this collection are so incisive (specifically, on sexual violence and rape culture, and 'The Help' and 'Django Unchained') and others are just...meh, like the thought was only partially fleshed out. I really appreciate that Gay seems really comfortable in her own skin. Her writing is casual and off-the-cuff. But man, some of the sentences are clunkers. I guess I was surprised that the writing wasn't awesome. Still, a worthy read for anyone interested in feminism, black identity, and pop culture. ...more
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