Underwhelmed. Two books – similar but different. The first was Maggie O’Farrell’s Instructions for a Heatwave, chosen as part of Reading Ireland Month. The second was Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, chosen simply because I like Maine. And lobster rolls.
It’s probably concerning how little I have to say about either book. No lasting impressions, no scenes that stayed with me. Serviceable characters, plain writing. Did I miss something in these family sagas? (Both focused on large families with a matriarch, Irish heritage and children behaving badly.) In Heatwave, the character of Aisha was mildly interesting, if only for her battle with illiteracy. In Maine, the pretentious daughter-in-law Anne Marie provided the entertainment. I’ll leave it at that.
2/5 For both.
I loved Heatwave, sorry to hear it didn’t do much for you! Like you, I was most interested in the younger sister’s character, but I felt like the whole family was interesting.
I think part of the reason for my lack of enthusiasm is because I read the book over a few weeks – never really got stuck into it so it just dragged on and on…
I really liked Heatwave, but I don’t think it was strong enough to being read over several weeks, I think I read it in a day or two. I hope your next reading choices are more enjoyable!
I’m currently reading Maggie O’Farrell’s The Hand that First Held Mine and am enjoying it. Shame you didn’t enjoy either of these.
I thought Maine was pretty ordinary too, haven’t read Heatwave though
How disappointing! I hate looking forward to a book and then feeling underwhelmed… like I am with my current book. Such a letdown. Here’s hoping you enjoy your next books more!
Thankfully I’m back in a ‘good’ zone!
Disappointed to hear about the O’Farrell. I really enjoyed her other book, The Disappearing Act of Esme Lennox.
I’d heard good things about Farrell – suspect I made a poor first choice.
If you were disappointed by Maine (me too, but not quite as much as you), you will be disappointed by Sullivan’s The Engagements too.
The Engagements is sitting in my TBR stack – after Maine, it’s tumbling to the bottom.