Sign in with Facebook
Liz's Reviews > Inland
Inland
by
by
2.5 stars, rounded down
I picked this purely because I thought it took place in Arizona and I’ve always wanted to read a historical novel from the Arizona Territory days. I have not read Obreht’s prior book.
This one just never grabbed me. Told from two POVs, Lurie, a wanted man from Missouri who becomes a cameleer, and Nora, a frontier woman awaiting the return of her husband and older sons, it was choppy and stilted. Both are haunted by ghosts. In Laurie’s case, they literally make demands of him. And his narrative is directed to the camel he leads across the west. Nora holds conversations with her dead daughter.
I debated just putting this one down numerous times. The pace of this book is as slow as a desert tortoise. The story also meanders across time and place. To be honest, I only kept reading because other reviews mentioned how great the ending was (and it was worth finishing for the ending). In a way, it reminded me of Lincoln in the Bardo, similar language and of course, the ghosts. If you like that book, you’ll probably like this one. I didn't care for either. I was an outlier on that book and will probably by on this one as well.
Also, I had to do some research, but it would appear that Nora’s homestead was actually in what is now New Mexico, up close to the Four Corners. While the author spends a lot of time writing about the homestead, she didn’t give me a real sense of place. Anyone who has spent time in NM and AZ knows how different the landscape can be and I resented having to research it to get a better feel. And despite them being down to their last cups of water, huge periods of time pass when it doesn’t factor into the story at all. And how can there be mud in a drought? Little things like that irritated me. I did enjoy the story about the camels and their trek. In fact, the relationship between Burke and Lurie was the one part of the story I did enjoy.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
I picked this purely because I thought it took place in Arizona and I’ve always wanted to read a historical novel from the Arizona Territory days. I have not read Obreht’s prior book.
This one just never grabbed me. Told from two POVs, Lurie, a wanted man from Missouri who becomes a cameleer, and Nora, a frontier woman awaiting the return of her husband and older sons, it was choppy and stilted. Both are haunted by ghosts. In Laurie’s case, they literally make demands of him. And his narrative is directed to the camel he leads across the west. Nora holds conversations with her dead daughter.
I debated just putting this one down numerous times. The pace of this book is as slow as a desert tortoise. The story also meanders across time and place. To be honest, I only kept reading because other reviews mentioned how great the ending was (and it was worth finishing for the ending). In a way, it reminded me of Lincoln in the Bardo, similar language and of course, the ghosts. If you like that book, you’ll probably like this one. I didn't care for either. I was an outlier on that book and will probably by on this one as well.
Also, I had to do some research, but it would appear that Nora’s homestead was actually in what is now New Mexico, up close to the Four Corners. While the author spends a lot of time writing about the homestead, she didn’t give me a real sense of place. Anyone who has spent time in NM and AZ knows how different the landscape can be and I resented having to research it to get a better feel. And despite them being down to their last cups of water, huge periods of time pass when it doesn’t factor into the story at all. And how can there be mud in a drought? Little things like that irritated me. I did enjoy the story about the camels and their trek. In fact, the relationship between Burke and Lurie was the one part of the story I did enjoy.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Inland.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-50 of 50 (50 new)
date
newest »
newest »
marilyn wrote: "Nice review Liz. I'm familiar with both AZ, NM, and the Four Corners area and that's one reason this book appealed to me. Sorry it doesn't really ring true. Ugh, just thinking about being down to..."
Exactly. In fact, I got stuck in a traffic backup today and my AC couldn’t keep up in the 95 degree heat. In just one hour, my throat was totally dry. Let alone going over a day with barely any water.
Oh noooooo! I have this on my NG shelf and I was really looking forward to it! I really liked her first book.
Michelle wrote: "Oh noooooo! I have this on my NG shelf and I was really looking forward to it! I really liked her first book."Most of the other reviews are very positive. I may just be an outlier.
Excellent review, Liz. I like knowing what someone does or doesn't like about a book, since we all have different tastes. But I have to say, if you've never been thirsty or outrageously hot or cold, I'm not sure you have any idea how pervasive the feeling is. It overrides almost everything else!
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Excellent review, Liz. I like knowing what someone does or doesn't like about a book, since we all have different tastes. But I have to say, if you've never been thirsty or outrageously hot or cold..."Thanks Patty.
Liz, thanks for your thoughts on this. I read The Tiger’s wife and it was a 3 star read for me. I’m not sure what made me get a copy of this one, but now I’m a little hesitant!
Angela M wrote: "Liz, thanks for your thoughts on this. I read The Tiger’s wife and it was a 3 star read for me. I’m not sure what made me get a copy of this one, but now I’m a little hesitant!"I’ll be curious to see what you think.
I’m having a hard time getting into this one. Your pointed review both explained why and inspired me to keep reading. I also did not enjoy Lincoln in the Bardos.
Lynne wrote: "I’m having a hard time getting into this one. Your pointed review both explained why and inspired me to keep reading. I also did not enjoy Lincoln in the Bardos."I’ll be curious to know your thoughts once you finish.
Ugh, I hated Lincoln in the Bardo too. If I had known this book was like it, I would not have requested it on netgalley. It is sitting there waiting for me, but I don't know if I'll ever get back to netgalley now, given some rearrangements in my life. I guess that's not all bad though. lol
Jackie wrote: "Ugh, I hated Lincoln in the Bardo too. If I had known this book was like it, I would not have requested it on netgalley. It is sitting there waiting for me, but I don't know if I'll ever get back t..."I’m going to be very curious how the reviews come down on this one. And if anyone else sees the similarities between the two books or if it’s just me...
Holly wrote: "Sorry it was a miss Liz!"C’est la vie. We can’t expect every book to be a five stars.
If you're looking for a novel about the Arizona Territory, try These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. It's based on her great-grandmother's life and diaries.
If you want to read something about Arizona in the western days, try Vengeance Road and Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman. They’re great novels.
I didn't like this book either! I agree ... the ending was the best part!
I'm only on page 50 and I kept saying, 'Yes!' in my head to all the points you made above. I feel like this is such a missed opportunity. I too, really wanted to read about Arizona during that time period. I didn't read much of Lincoln in the Bardo, (that was a dnf for me), but what little I read came to mind while going through this. I also questioned the mud reference I just read. That didn't make sense to me either. I haven't gotten to the talking camel part - not sure that I will.
We're outliers on both this book and "Lincoln in the Bardo."
I was also going to recommend These is My Words by Nancy Turner. Loved it. And I also did not enjoy Lincoln in the Bardo so thanks for the advise. I think I will pass on this one.
I also recommend These is My Words by Nancy Turner.
I'm glad I passed on this one, the reviews are all over the place on this one. The things that irritated you like "how can there be mud in a drought", etc would also drive me crazy. I always expect great mechanical skills from a published author and good editing and when it's not there I for sure am not going to like the book. Thanks for the honest review :)
Sadly, I'm only a chapter in and finding it extremely hard to continue reading. It's, for lack of a better term, boring! Unfortunately, a book club I've recently joined has chosen this one. I fear I may need to skim most of it....
Kimberly wrote: "Sadly, I'm only a chapter in and finding it extremely hard to continue reading. It's, for lack of a better term, boring! Unfortunately, a book club I've recently joined has chosen this one. I fear ..."I wish I could tell you it got better...
Liz, I couldn't agree with you more on all the points you made. The slow pace tempted me to put it down several times. I too picked it up because I'm interested in Arizona. Haven't read Tigers Wife - maybe it's better than this one? - In addition to the slow pace, it was a thin plot and both of the 'main' characters were not that likable, so it was hard to get invested in their stories.
Joyce wrote: "Liz, I couldn't agree with you more on all the points you made. The slow pace tempted me to put it down several times. I too picked it up because I'm interested in Arizona. Haven't read Tigers Wife..."Good to know we had the same thoughts. It’s funny, I didn’t think I had read TTW. But I was sorting my books on GR and turns out I did. And didn’t rate it highly either. It obviously didn't make an impression of I didn’t even remember I had read it.
Terrific review. I started this one for the same reason: I'm fascinated by/love New Mexico and Arizona. I found it so slow and the theme is not one I'm drawn to but curiously your review made me want to try again. I did like Lincoln in the Bardo and now I want to find out why everyone loves the ending.Thank you.
Ellie wrote: "Terrific review. I started this one for the same reason: I'm fascinated by/love New Mexico and Arizona. I found it so slow and the theme is not one I'm drawn to but curiously your review made me wa..."Thanks Ellie. Good luck with your second attempt.
A great book that takes place in the Arizona Territories is These Is My Words, by Nancy Turner. It's really a fabulous book. For New Mexico, there's Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.
Janet wrote: "A great book that takes place in the Arizona Territories is These Is My Words, by Nancy Turner. It's really a fabulous book. For New Mexico, there's Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather."Thanks Janet. I read DCFTA in high school. I’ve not heard of These is My Words.
Just finally finished this book. It took me four tries to start reading it. I kept putting it down it was so boring. For me, the end was good but not worth the long painfully 95 percent of the rest of the book.
Brenda wrote: "Just finally finished this book. It took me four tries to start reading it. I kept putting it down it was so boring. For me, the end was good but not worth the long painfully 95 percent of the rest..."I know exactly what you mean. I won’t bother with anything else she writes.
✨ Anna ✨ wrote: "Great review!"Thanks Anna.
Great review, Liz. I battled to finish in the end, to be honest, although I loved the unique voice of the author. A totally different way of telling an American historical fictional story, right?
Margitte wrote: "Great review, Liz. I battled to finish in the end, to be honest, although I loved the unique voice of the author. A totally different way of telling an American historical fictional story, right?"Thanks Margitte. She definitely has a unique voice. I’m glad you were able to book more than me.
I did put this down, Liz. It wasn’t working for me either. You aren’t alone.
Tammy wrote: "I did put this down, Liz. It wasn’t working for me either. You aren’t alone."Thanks Tammy. Good to know I have company.
Great review Liz! You confirmed my hesitation to read this😊
Karen wrote: "Great review Liz! You confirmed my hesitation to read this😊"Thanks Karen. Glad to be of help.
Interesting. Not the first negative review I’ve seen
Try The Sarah Agnes Prine series by Nancy E Turner. It made me love Arizona and I've never even been there.
Beverly wrote: "Try The Sarah Agnes Prine series by Nancy E Turner. It made me love Arizona and I've never even been there."Thanks for the suggestion Beverly.
I felt the same way, and this was especially disappointing given how much I loved The Tiger’s Wife.
If you are looking for Arizona, read These Is My Words by Nancy Turner.
Completely agree with the Nancy Turner book recommendations. I was hoping this book would be like those, but I too had to put it down halfway through.
A book club pick here in Arizona that was disappointing on so many levels. I was looking forward to learning more about the history of the area and instead slogged my way through this disjointed novel. I am not interested in the mystical nor communing with the dead. The ending was worth the effort.
Thank you for being honest. I’m about half way through and just can’t do it. It’s slow. The characters are not connected and to be fair I don’t care if they do connect. I am reading it for my book club but I quit and will have to hear what others thought of it.
Author clearly states the homestead is between Phoenix and Flag
I’m 29% in and I agree so much with your review.
Ugh, just thinking about being down to their last cups of water in that area...there would be no coming back from that, living like we do here in far west TX and the drought. 😮