Comments on: Beartown, Hillbilly Elegy, and The Sun Is Also a Star

By: Susan Wright

Susan Wright — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 04:36:33 +0000

In reply to Vicki. Hi Vicki, I look forward to hearing about what you think of Bear Town. There's quite a bit of hockey to it and it seems quite (overly) long! Cheers.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 20:57:43 +0000

I absolutely loved A Man Called Ove, so when I saw Bear Town by the same author I got the audiobook before eve seeing what it was about. I’ve never done that before. I plan on listening to it soon.

By: Susan Wright

Susan Wright — Sat, 20 May 2017 03:49:17 +0000

In reply to Sarah Laurence.

Thanks Sarah, Yeah I’ve listened to both of Yoon’s novels as audios and she seems talented with the dialogue and teen details. I need to read Code Name Verity for YA now. I will keep at YA occasionally — even though the genre can be a bit out of my comfort zone — since some of the books are quite good. I’m hoping that the Handmaid’s TV series becomes more hopeful as it goes along.

By: Susan Wright

Susan Wright — Sat, 20 May 2017 03:30:15 +0000

In reply to Naomi.

Thanks Naomi, the weather is looking good (so far) for the long weekend! Not sure if the Handmaid’s TV series sticks closely to the book — as that is one of Atwood’s novels that I have missed but I plan to remedy & read soon. It’s quite a series so far. There was even a short cameo by Atwood which I believe comes in episode #1. I recognized her right away. I hope you enjoy your long weekend. Yoon might be a YA author to try.

By: Sarah Laurence

Sarah Laurence — Fri, 19 May 2017 14:18:36 +0000

Excellent reviews! I’m so glad you read The Sun is Also a Star, and yes, the target audience would be teens. I also preferred this one to Yoon’s debut. I can’t imagine a series darker than the Road! I loved the Handmaid’s Tale, but at least the book felt more hopeful.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:48:40 +0000

Beartown sounds so different from his other books (only from what I’ve heard, because I have’t read any myself). I don’t know if I’m interested in that much hockey.
I’d like to read Hillbilly Elegy, but I don’t know how high it is on my list of priorities – there are a lot of books I’d like to read!
I’ve been skeptical about the love story in Yoon’s new book. But it sounds like there’s more to it than that. Hmm…
I’m nervous to watch The Handmaid’s Tale – does it stick well to the book so far? I’ve been burned by the new Anne series.

Enjoy your long weekend bike ride! I hope the weather is nice for you!

By: Susan Wright

Susan Wright — Wed, 17 May 2017 22:10:52 +0000

In reply to Michelle.

Hi Michelle, yeah I can see how if you once lived in Middletown you could have a whole different perspective — you’d know more about what he’s referring to and might see things differently. I’ve never been to Ohio so I’m just going by how it’s been portrayed. His analysis of the working class in the book was less successful perhaps than just being a memoir about his family. Hmm. I think you’ll like The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s creepy scary. Hope you get it.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 17 May 2017 15:14:29 +0000

I was less impressed with Hillbilly Elegy than many others. I found it yet another rags-to-riches story, which is fine, but I did not finish the novel with a better understanding of the blue collar Trump voters like I expected. I also may have been a bit biased because I lived in Middletown, Ohio for seven years and know exactly what he was talking about regarding locations and attitude. I really want to watch The Handmaid's Tale. I need to look into getting Hulu just so we can watch it!

By: Susan Wright

Susan Wright — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:16:45 +0000

In reply to Susie | Novel Visits. Hi Susie, thx for stopping by. I think you're right about the Hillbilly book, though I don't think many of Trump's policies will repay the favor to his working-class voters, hmm which is a bit perplexing. And I agree with you on Backman; I don't think I will return to his books, too much else to read. I'm glad you're a Homeland watcher! It's an excellent show.

By: Susie | Novel Visits

Susie | Novel Visits — Wed, 17 May 2017 01:59:12 +0000

I loved Hillbilly Elegy. I read it just after the election and felt like without intending to the book explained a lot about how/why Trump one. Those were his people!

I’m with you on Fredrick Bachman. I like A Man Called Ove, but his next book was a DNF for me and I’ve not been interested in trying anything else.

Love Homeland!