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Dem's Reviews > Commonwealth
Commonwealth
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The saying "Gin makes you sin" sure plays a role in Ann Patchett's latest novel Commonwealth.
A novel about Family dynamics after marriages end and new relationships form and the fallout that folks have to deal with.
One Sunday afternoon in Southern California, Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited but with a large bottle of Gin. Before evening falls, he has kissed Franny’s mother, Beverly—thus setting in motion the dissolution of their marriages and the joining of two families.
An interesting novel in places with well formed likable and dislikable characters. The writing is good but there were many highs and lows for me in the novel.
I enjoyed the the beginning of the novel as the situations and characters were interesting. Half ways through I got confused and struggled with the story and characters, but the novel picked up again towards the end. I think there were too many main characters to keep track of and I found the storyline confusing at a certain point. However the book does comes together at the end and while I liked it and it was a quick read, its not going to be a memorable one for me.
A novel about Family dynamics after marriages end and new relationships form and the fallout that folks have to deal with.
One Sunday afternoon in Southern California, Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited but with a large bottle of Gin. Before evening falls, he has kissed Franny’s mother, Beverly—thus setting in motion the dissolution of their marriages and the joining of two families.
An interesting novel in places with well formed likable and dislikable characters. The writing is good but there were many highs and lows for me in the novel.
I enjoyed the the beginning of the novel as the situations and characters were interesting. Half ways through I got confused and struggled with the story and characters, but the novel picked up again towards the end. I think there were too many main characters to keep track of and I found the storyline confusing at a certain point. However the book does comes together at the end and while I liked it and it was a quick read, its not going to be a memorable one for me.
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Reading Progress
November 4, 2016
– Shelved
December 30, 2016
–
Started Reading
January 5, 2017
–
Finished Reading
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Angela M is taking a break.
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 06, 2017 11:18AM
Nice review, Dem . I think I liked it a little more than you but glad you liked it enough for 3 stars .
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Well said, Dem! So agree.
Thank you Angela. It hit highs and lows for me but still enjoyed the read. I have only read one other novel by this author so hope to add another to my list by year end as the writing was good.
Good review Dem. I liked it a little more than you did too:) I have read about three of her books so far and she does write well.
Nice review, Dem. I especially liked your opening statementre "Gin makes you sin". Glad that you enjoyed the book. I liked it more than you did.
Phrynne wrote: "Good review Dem. I liked it a little more than you did too:) I have read about three of her books so far and she does write well."Thanks Phrynee.
Kathleen wrote: "Nice review, Dem. I especially liked your opening statementre "Gin makes you sin". Glad that you enjoyed the book. I liked it more than you did."
Thanks Kathleen. I will definitely read another book by this author.
Thank you for your informative review, Dem. I've had this on my list after enjoying other books by the author, but now I think maybe it can wait for a while.
Donna wrote: "Thank you for your informative review, Dem. I've had this on my list after enjoying other books by the author, but now I think maybe it can wait for a while."So many have loved this one Donna. I did like it but just not as much as others. Look forward to your thoughts when you do get the chance to read it.
I liked it more than you, but loved reading your thoughts.
Diane S ☔ wrote: "I liked it more than you, but loved reading your thoughts."Thanks Diane. Hoping we have many good books to discuss in 2017.
Nice review Dem! I dont care for a book that has too many characters, it does get confusing.
Mary wrote: "Nice review Dem! I dont care for a book that has too many characters, it does get confusing."Thanks Mary.
Deanna wrote: "Excellent, honest review :)"Thanks Deanna.
Couldn't have said it better! I thought it was disappointing after such acclaim.
Thanks Elisa, I was expecting more too but was a little disappointed with this one.
Exactly how I felt… Disappointed
Lisa wrote: "Exactly how I felt… Disappointed"Hope your next read is better Lisa.
I really agree with you. I don’t think this is a particularly memorable read and it’s a shame because I so badly wanted to like it - but I’m just disappointed
Sneha wrote: "I really agree with you. I don’t think this is a particularly memorable read and it’s a shame because I so badly wanted to like it - but I’m just disappointed"Thanks Sneha.
Sneha wrote: "I really agree with you. I don’t think this is a particularly memorable read and it’s a shame because I so badly wanted to like it - but I’m just disappointed"Thanks Sneha.
Terrific review Dem, and there were a lot of characters weren't there? I also found the start interesting but I dropped out mid-way. At least you gave it 3 and made it to the end!
