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Charles's Reviews > A Girl Returned
A Girl Returned
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A Girl Returned quickly builds a little world out of thin air and from that point on sticks to an economy of words that serves it well. A nameless girl – the Arminuta, the girl returned – is sent back to her birth parents for no apparent reason after having been adopted years before as a baby, leaving her shocked and incredulous. As this new life must yet resume, short but evocative chapters chronicle her way into an Italian countryside of modest means, occasionally treating the reader to beachfront memories the color of faded postcards.
A breezy read, for all the underlying drama, thanks to the author’s light touch and to my easygoing buddy reader, Ebba.
A breezy read, for all the underlying drama, thanks to the author’s light touch and to my easygoing buddy reader, Ebba.
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It sounds like a terrible choice for me!
Violeta wrote: "The ‘economy of words’ of this book applies to your own enticing account of it, Charles. A breezy and evocative review!"
Thanks, friend! This is a slim book; it wouldn't stand too detailed a review, anyway. Suffice it to say, I was dreading a heaviness that never materialized. Grateful for it. :)
Julie wrote: "It sounds like a terrible choice for me!"I do believe there's a time and a public for every book out there. This was an unlikely choice in my case, but a decent read in the end. My spring has been punctuated by surprising books!
Charles, aren't those surprising reads such a gift? I'm glad you are having a bounty of these.
Lisa, they so often are, I have to wonder why I don't just walk into them with my guard down at this point. My GR peeps can obviously be trusted. :)
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Charles.(I'm not forgetting that we have a buddy read somewhere in our future!).
xoo
I have this one on my list, so I'm pleased it gets your stamp of approval, Charles!
Julie wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Charles.(I'm not forgetting that we have a buddy read somewhere in our future!). xoo"
I'm looking forward to it!
Candi wrote: "I have this one on my list, so I'm pleased it gets your stamp of approval, Charles!"Thanks! Pretty slim book, for when the urge for a quick read in particular might strike. :)
I remember being struck by the cover of this when it was released, and I have it on my tbr. I never would’ve guessed at that premise - how disturbing. How old is she when returned?I love translations because of the efficiency of language. But it sounds like this was a tiny bit underwhelming for you, Charles - am I reading that right?
Jennifer wrote: "How old is she when returned?I love translations because of the efficiency of language. But it sounds like this was a tiny bit underwhelming for you, Charles - am I reading that right? "
She's 13 at that point, or just about. I wouldn't say the book is underwhelming, although I harbor no passion for its actual topic (maybe that's what you're picking up). If anything, I've rarely encountered such a perfect balance of plain(ish) language on the one hand and evocative writing on the other. It's both at the same time, if that makes any sense.
It does, Charles, thank you! I actually felt that way about Trick, by Starnone, which I just read.13! Egads!
Thank you for reading this with me, friend. :) "Beachfront memories the color of faded postcards" is super well put. Ebba
Ebba Simone wrote: "Thank you for reading this with me, friend. :) Ebba"Pleasure was all mine, really. :)
Great review Charles! You always manage to encapsulate the guts of a story in a few words - nice one!
Mark wrote: "Great review Charles! You always manage to encapsulate the guts of a story in a few words - nice one!"What a nice thing to say. Thanks, Mark!
Breezy drama can be a perfect read.
Judith wrote: "Breezy drama can be a perfect read."In this case, it certainly was. :)
"I've rarely encountered such a perfect balance of plain(ish) language on the one hand and evocative writing on the other."Perfectly said, Charles.
I've just finished reading this one and am circling back to thank you for bringing this wonderful book to my attention.
I love the POV, the writing, and the exploration of family and class.
Lisa wrote: "I've just finished reading this one and am circling back to thank you for bringing this wonderful book to my attention.I love the POV, the writing, and the exploration of family and class."
Thanks so much for letting me know! To be fair, this is Ebba keeping track of what's on the horizon. I'm the happy deckhand on the starboard.
Charles wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I've just finished reading this one and am circling back to thank you for bringing this wonderful book to my attention.I love the POV, the writing, and the exploration of family and ..."
You're a lucky man to have such a great GR friend! And I am enjoying the benefits.
Enjoyed your review, Charles.
Barbara wrote: "Enjoyed your review, Charles."Thanks, Barbara! This book seems to be getting a lot of love, all of a sudden.
Julie wrote: "It sounds like a terrible choice for me!"Hi Julie,
I know why you'd think that, but I just read this and I actually think you'd appreciate it.
Charles, I finally posted my review and it is long compared to yours! You captured this beautifully in few words. I completely agree - it's rare that a novel with such evocative language also moves so quickly. It's structure is much like a film in that way - beautifully done. I loved this, and it was your review that put it on my tbr. Thank you!
Candi wrote: "I have this one on my list, so I'm pleased it gets your stamp of approval, Charles!"Have you read this yet, Candi? I recently finished and believe it would be very for you! Plus? It's fast.
A breezy and evocative review!