Helpful Score: 10
I had a lot of high hopes for this book, especially when I first started reading it. Huge letdown, to be perfectly honest. I did not like the protagonist Tassie at all, the mystery surrounding the family's history was not believable at all, and the ending was just plain disappointing. The only redeeming qualities this book had was discussing the problems interracial families face as well as frustrations within the adoption world. Those two points were what kept me reading, but this isn't one I care to read again.
Helpful Score: 10
This book is an interesting case; I don't know that I've ever come across a book that had such positive critical reception and such poor general readership reviews (here, Amazon, and library-thing). That said, I have to agree with most reader-reviewers, as I didn't enjoy this book. The flow of the book felt very disconnected and as if I was reading a series of loosely connected short stories about a common protagonist, and the writing was extremely verbose. Parts of the book set up as a dinner discussion were almost unreadable due to the poor flow and disjointed nature of the conversation. There were also things scattered throughout the story that acted as red herrings although they really seemed like plot points the author simply forgot about instead of a well-used literary device. Finally, the book had no real sense of closure and what I assumed was the main storyline stopped suddenly about 60 pages from the end and didn't have any real resolution (the main "mystery" of this storyline was also far-fetched and fairly unbelievable). Obviously critics have found something redeeming about this novel, but I didn't, and don't plan on reading anything else by Moore in the future.
Helpful Score: 5
This book never really grabbed my attention. I kept waiting for the story to start, but it never seemed to. Can't understand why this book was awarded a Best Book of the Year Award by the New York Times. Story does not seem plausible, I was disappointed by this book.
Helpful Score: 4
This story is about a college student who takes a part-time job as nanny for a couple who have adopted a biracial toddler. The back cover says this book is about race, class, love, and war in America. But I think the author took on more than she could chew.
Lorrie Moore is an entertaining writer; this book had elements of such bright wit but also egregious misses. I kept wondering why all the main character Tassie Keltjin's mortifying mistakes were being cataloged - I honestly couldn't tell if she was hilarious or mentally challenged, or was that the book forcing the reader to be un-PC? But how does one confuse Brazilian for Middle Eastern from New Jersey? Why in the world is her toe bleeding in a tub "really a hello from death"? How could a kid in a car seat possibly reach up and repeatedly hit the driver of the car in the head with a shoe? How could an under-age, unemployed nanny afford to eat everything on the menu at Le Petit Expensive Restaurant including wine and then drive all the way home from Ohio to Wisconsin on a scooter, without a helmet in the rain?? There was so much clumsy foreshadowing, like Tassie being told she's "nobody's sister" for no reason at all.
I especially disliked the ending, being addressed by the writer or by Tassie or whatever that was.
Lorrie Moore is an entertaining writer; this book had elements of such bright wit but also egregious misses. I kept wondering why all the main character Tassie Keltjin's mortifying mistakes were being cataloged - I honestly couldn't tell if she was hilarious or mentally challenged, or was that the book forcing the reader to be un-PC? But how does one confuse Brazilian for Middle Eastern from New Jersey? Why in the world is her toe bleeding in a tub "really a hello from death"? How could a kid in a car seat possibly reach up and repeatedly hit the driver of the car in the head with a shoe? How could an under-age, unemployed nanny afford to eat everything on the menu at Le Petit Expensive Restaurant including wine and then drive all the way home from Ohio to Wisconsin on a scooter, without a helmet in the rain?? There was so much clumsy foreshadowing, like Tassie being told she's "nobody's sister" for no reason at all.
I especially disliked the ending, being addressed by the writer or by Tassie or whatever that was.
Helpful Score: 4
This book doesn't seem to know what it's about, and as a result, I don't either. It has the disjointed style of Faulkner without the character development. There were story lines with potential but they never went anywhere. I didn't get to know any of the characters; therefore, I didn't like them or care how their stories turned out. In fact, I felt constantly reminded of the author's presence - she was always there putting words in the characters' mouths and manipulating the forward motion of the book. It seemed a bit like an expression of the author's ego rather than a story about real people.
Overall, I couldn't wait for this book to end.
Overall, I couldn't wait for this book to end.
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I stayed up almost all night to finish reading it. Moore has a strong talent in using descriptive colorful writing to convey the protagonists thoughts, feelings, smells, tastes and desires. The protagonist is meek and shy yet is such a smarty pants with a knack for rhyming, dark poetry and bass guitar playing. At first I was almost drawn away because up until chapter 2, the protagonists words started to get me down at the description of her home and college life (being stuck in a small town with nothing to do, storm clouds rolling in, loneliness in college, etc. etc). Intrigue set in by the third chapter as she began a new job as a nanny for a couple (husband is a researcher and wife is a restaurant owner) who adopt a biracial child, Mary-Emmie. In her new role she discovers overt racism, love and the loss of a brother. During the times of loss and challenges (i.e. Walking Mary-Emmie around town and a group of teens turn around just to call Mary-Emmie the N-word) she maintains such graceful composure and a mild humor about her. I won't give everything away but there is definitely a crazy scene in which the couple reveal their not so pleasant past. Definitely a must read.
Helpful Score: 1
No doubt about it, this woman can write. Beautiful descriptions and character development. But for all that, this was a dismal book; the narrator experiences one disappointment after another in the course of a year.If you need a happy read, stay far away from this one!
Helpful Score: 1
First 2/3 of the book were a very good read.... interesting, suspenseful, etc. Last third - drudgery reading of too much detail and long winded narrative. Pretty disappointed in it by the end.
Helpful Score: 1
Well, what can I say about this novel? I don't understand the critical praise heaped upon it, that's for certain. I found the narrator, Tassie, to be disjointed. I don't know if she had autism/Asperger's Sydrome, and/or ADHD, but she reminds me of people I know that do. Every sentence jam-packed with every living thought she's ever entertained, and zingy non-sequiters absolutely killed it for me. Example: early on, she's at a job interview for a nanny position, whereupon she takes a side-road and goes on a page and a half internal discussion (expository for the reader!) about her father's potato farm. What does that have to do with the matter at hand? Other than the fact that her possible future employer is a chef and knows of her father's produce, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
Do yourself a favor. Read the Wikipedia entry and decide if you want to take the chance. Whatever you do, don't spend good money on this thing.
Do yourself a favor. Read the Wikipedia entry and decide if you want to take the chance. Whatever you do, don't spend good money on this thing.
Helpful Score: 1
Lorrie Moore has written beautifully about complex issues. The adoption of a racially mixed child by a severely damaged white couple ends badly when the child is returned to the adoption agency when the history of the adoptive couple becomes known. Tassie, hired as a baby sitter for the child, is experiencing difficulties with her first unrequited love affair with a man who isn't what he portrays himself to be and the subsequent death of her brother. Lorrie Moore's use of the very repetitive Wednesday night sessions of people with racially mixed children became an irritant for me. Her prose is flawless and witty, but there were unresolved issues that left me wondering why the book ended when it did.
Helpful Score: 1
I had great hopes for this book, as the author has local ties and it got rave reviews.
However, I just hated it. I kept reading, as it was a book club book, and I hate to go, unless I have read the book. And, yes, I did get it, having been young and gifted myself, also from a small town, moved to a large, more intellectually affluent place.
Tassie is odd, but not odd in any good way. Naive, yes, and that part of her is charming in too small a way.
Ultimately, she is too much of a cipher. Her summer at the farm could have been so ethereally uplifting, instead, it just drags on. OK, she has a bird costume, but what of it? Her behavior at the funeral?
My major complaint is the unbelievable dialog, especially from the Wednesday group. Were they just reading magazine articles aloud?
Tassie talks like a precocious 13 year old. My friends and I talked like this and thought we were so clever...in junior high, for goodness sake.For example, so clever of her to turn rejoice into Read Joyce. No wonder the poor girl has no friends.
Now, the adults seemed more like real characters, except again with the dialog. Her parents were rooted, but why throw in the Jewish mom? She makes no sense. Again, it's oddness for the sake of being odd. The same with the brother.
Odd is not good alone. There must be a method beyond the madness.
I was constantly reminded how much a superior book "An Education" is.
However, I just hated it. I kept reading, as it was a book club book, and I hate to go, unless I have read the book. And, yes, I did get it, having been young and gifted myself, also from a small town, moved to a large, more intellectually affluent place.
Tassie is odd, but not odd in any good way. Naive, yes, and that part of her is charming in too small a way.
Ultimately, she is too much of a cipher. Her summer at the farm could have been so ethereally uplifting, instead, it just drags on. OK, she has a bird costume, but what of it? Her behavior at the funeral?
My major complaint is the unbelievable dialog, especially from the Wednesday group. Were they just reading magazine articles aloud?
Tassie talks like a precocious 13 year old. My friends and I talked like this and thought we were so clever...in junior high, for goodness sake.For example, so clever of her to turn rejoice into Read Joyce. No wonder the poor girl has no friends.
Now, the adults seemed more like real characters, except again with the dialog. Her parents were rooted, but why throw in the Jewish mom? She makes no sense. Again, it's oddness for the sake of being odd. The same with the brother.
Odd is not good alone. There must be a method beyond the madness.
I was constantly reminded how much a superior book "An Education" is.
Helpful Score: 1
I only got about half way through this book before I gave up. It was one of those stories that seems to meander around, kind of lost, without any real destination. The writing was good and I liked the characters but I just didn't get it.
Helpful Score: 1
Having just been--just slightly--disappointed by Waiting for Columbus, I had some doubts that I would like this one. (Reason being that I decided to read both of them because of Anne Kingman's review on Books on the Nightstand.) Unlike Columbus, this book engaged me from the first page. I found Tassie's voice to be believable, poignant and, yes, slightly annoying. I could relate to her world and just loved the writing style. I know that lots of readers here did not like this book. I did and will add to this review when I figure out why.
There was so much I didn't like about this book. First, I couldn't decide if the characters' shtick was supposed to be actually funny, or just a sad attempt to paper over really serious situations with terrible comedic references and puns. Second, I couldn't decide if the conversations about race were supposed to be actually funny, or making a point about how every time white people gather to figure out how to help another group, they just end up arguing about white people. Third, I couldn't decide if Tassie's way of dealing with her brother's death was supposed to be funny, or just a nervous breakdown. You get the idea. Not recommended, which is something I never thought I would say about this author, whom I have loved in the past.
This book has a lot of mixed reviews and I can understand why. It moves slowly and the plot is loose. However, the writing is incredibly well done. The author's writing is beautifully worded, her imagery is stunning. There were twists I didn't see coming and Tassie's story was emotionally powerful. The book brings the feelings rushing back from the year after 9/11 when our country was on high alert and in turmoil. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves reading beautiful words or enjoys a well written novel that isn't fast paced.
Lorrie Moore has written beautifully about complex issues. The adoption of a racially mixed child by a severely damaged white couple ends badly when the child is returned to the adoption agency when the history of the adoptive couple becomes known. Tassie, hired as a baby sitter for the child, is experiencing difficulties with her first unrequited love affair with a man who isn't what he portrays himself to be and the subsequent death of her brother. Lorrie Moore's use of the very repetitive Wednesday night sessions of people with racially mixed children became an irritant for me. Her prose is flawless and witty, but there were unresolved issues that left me wondering why the book ended when it did.
a page turner!
Excellent book--especially the last 1/4. I think some of the people who reviewed it, just didn't 'get it'. The book moves like day to day life of a young woman in her progress toward maturity, but as you get toward the end you realize its deeper meanings. Some of the writing itself toward the last parts of the book after the young woman has lost her job and gone back home to the farm are just phenomenal. The imagery top notch.
