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Hannah's Reviews > There There
There There
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This debut is absolutely 100% incredible. Marlon James called it a thunderclap and I have to agree. This might be my favourite read of the year so far. And as is often the case when I adore a book this much, writing a review does not come particularly easy because I want to do it justice without just reverting to hyperboles.
This book is told from 12 widely different perspectives that converge on the Big Oakland Powwow, and also includes some non-fiction parts in between. It is impeccably structured in a way that was both entertaining and heartbreaking and also very clever. I happen to really adore short stories that connect to a greater whole – and the first occurence of each person could stand on its own in a way that I found highly impressive.
The voices are distinct and different, in tone and narrative choice, in the way their language flows and in the metaphors they use – I found the way Tommy Orange juggles these different styles impressive without being just that. Sometimes, when a book is this accomplished it feels very dry and intellectual, but this one was also very raw and honest and also angry in a way that really worked for me. Tommy Orange shows a great tenderness for his characters in all their flaws (and there are plenty).
The book is funny and sad and poignant and just so so so well done. I do not have the words except to urge you to read it. I will be reading anything Tommy Orange decides to write next.
You can find this review and other thoughts on books on my blog.
This book is told from 12 widely different perspectives that converge on the Big Oakland Powwow, and also includes some non-fiction parts in between. It is impeccably structured in a way that was both entertaining and heartbreaking and also very clever. I happen to really adore short stories that connect to a greater whole – and the first occurence of each person could stand on its own in a way that I found highly impressive.
The voices are distinct and different, in tone and narrative choice, in the way their language flows and in the metaphors they use – I found the way Tommy Orange juggles these different styles impressive without being just that. Sometimes, when a book is this accomplished it feels very dry and intellectual, but this one was also very raw and honest and also angry in a way that really worked for me. Tommy Orange shows a great tenderness for his characters in all their flaws (and there are plenty).
The book is funny and sad and poignant and just so so so well done. I do not have the words except to urge you to read it. I will be reading anything Tommy Orange decides to write next.
You can find this review and other thoughts on books on my blog.
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There There.
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Reading Progress
April 26, 2018
– Shelved
April 26, 2018
– Shelved as:
maybe
June 6, 2018
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 28, 2018
–
Started Reading
August 10, 2018
–
63.49%
"I am reading this super slowly because I do not want to miss anything. I also don't want it to end. This might be my favourite read of the year so far."
page
193
August 15, 2018
–
Finished Reading
August 16, 2018
– Shelved as:
loved-it
August 16, 2018
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
Comments Showing 1-11 of 11 (11 new)
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Dorie - Cats&Books :)
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Aug 16, 2018 12:09PM
great review, I've added it :)
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Fantastic review, Hannah. This sounds scrumptious!
Thank you, Debbie! I really really loved this.
One of my favorites of the year too , Hannah. Great review.
Fabulous review, Hannah. Keep hearing wonderful things about this.
Thank you, Katie! This book is really fantastic
Lovely review, Hannah, and yes, I agree, there is great tenderness . . . and compassion here. A rarity in so much contemporary literature. It will be interesting to see what Orange does next.
Thank you! And yes, absolutely, I am so excited for what he does next.
