Ask Again, Yes

is it me or does this radiate [b:Little Fires Everywhere 34273236 Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1522684533s/34273236.jpg 52959357] vibes??? if i didn't just order five books i'd have this baby in my hands already 😩

Love, family relationships, mental illness, alcoholism, physical handicaps...Ask Again, Yes has it all and then some! This book has so much going on, but it all weaves together pretty seamlessly.

There are many things I really like about the book, but there are also some things that annoy me. On the positive side, the characters are complex and intriguing. Each of the main characters gets to narrate one or more chapters of the book, so the reader can see the thoughts of each person. This helps the reader to understand and relate to the characters. The number of characters, though, can be challenging. Just when you feel like you are getting into one character's story, the narration shifts to another character. It can be a little disconcerting at times.

This book does a good job dealing with the topics of mental illness and addiction. The portrayal of the characters that suffer from these issues is sensitive but also critical. The author does not sugar-coat any aspect of either struggle. She also does not demonize the characters for their flaws. I thought this aspect of the novel was very well done.

The pacing of the narrative is the main thing I do not like about the book. I felt at times that too much time was allowed to pass without enough detail. For instance, one chapter covers a time span of nearly 20 years. I felt like I was missing too much of the story. I would have preferred to experience some of those years with the characters. I especially feel that I did not get to see enough of Peter and Kate's relationship developing.

I also made the mistake of listening to this book on audio instead of reading a physical copy. The narration was often overdone and did not reflect the emotions the words were displaying. This, of course, is not the fault of the book. However, it did impact my reading experience.

Overall, I enjoyed more than I disliked about this book. In the end, I am giving it 3.5 stars. I plan to read it again instead of listening to it. I have a feeling my rating will go up when I do.

I thought this was a very interesting tale of these two families and their continued connections through the years. Emotionally charged and realistic characters - they all felt well developed. However, I felt that the pacing was off. I would have appreciated some parts to move faster, while others felt like they weren't given enough attention.

Proper novel, this one. Two intertwined families, lots of drama, immigration, craziness, sisters and brothers and uncles and all the lot. At some point I was almost tired because so much had happened, and I took a peak and there it was: I was at 32% of the kindle. Admire authors who can milk it like that! There was a lot to happen yet, obviously. Lives are really so much. Not an easy book, and even though it almost comforts me to remember there is so much more than what we are facing these days with the politics and pandemics and all, I can't say I would re read it.

I started this book on a whim while looking through my library's online selections. I knew literally nothing about it but it was on the “most popular” list and the short blurb seemed pretty interesting so I had nothing to lose really.

WOW. What a journey!! I felt like I knew these people. The Gleesons and the Stanhopes felt like people I could have grown up around or heard about through the grapevine. Each character was compelling, Anne especially. Anne hit a little too close to home and I saw much of my mother in her character. The ending did not tie up all loose ends, but I was still somehow really satisfied at the end.

5/5