[0SG]∎ [PDF] Of Things Gone Astray Janina Matthewson 9780007562473 Books

Of Things Gone Astray Janina Matthewson 9780007562473 Books

Download As PDF : Of Things Gone Astray Janina Matthewson 9780007562473 Books

Of Things Gone Astray Janina Matthewson 9780007562473 Books

I’m sitting here looking at the review screen & not really sure what to write.

First because I don’t write deep literary reviews- just reviews for people to decide if they want to gamble their time and money. So while this was a book that I loved, I can recognize that it won’t be for everyone.

And then, I don’t know what to call it. Fairy tale & fantasy seem a disservice since both descriptions imply childish/gothic images which isn’t the case here. Yes, bizarre, impossible things happen (and are accepted with a pretty blasé attitude) but the story really is about the ordinary people populating the book. And it was those characters that I loved. Beautifully written and told in very brief chapters with alternating viewpoints, I found myself regretting leaving each character and then being happy to see the next. Yes, you can choose to think deeply about the themes of appreciating what you have and need, but for me it was just about enjoying each character and their story.

So … who will share my enthusiasm? Sorry but I have no idea. I guess it is all about expectations. If you need a lot of drama, action and romance as well as traditional structure and resolution (not all of the stories are neatly tied up in the end) this may not be for you. But then, I think of myself as a genre reader- sci fi/mystery/fantasy- and yet this book took me completely by surprise. I would strongly urge anyone to read the kindle sample. The structure continues throughout the book and if you find the writing and characters as interesting as I did you will probably enjoy the book.

I found “Of Things Gone Astray” lovely, lyrical and engrossing. And since I expect to be drawn back to the book, it meets my "I'll read it again"- five stars rating. But this is not at all a traditional book, so set your expectations accordingly.


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Of Things Gone Astray Janina Matthewson 9780007562473 Books Reviews

This book was far more than I ever expected it to be, the description made it sound interesting, but the actual substance far surpassed that. I love how all the characters were brought together with meaning and the pretext of it all. There were a few personal gripes I had with it, but nothing that would deter me from recommending this book.
I loved this book! It's quirky and interesting in the best ways. It moves at a smooth pace and releases it's secrets at a steadily. I love to read, but it's not very often when I don't want a book to end. That was the case with "Of Things Gone Astray." There are several primary characters, but the authors paints such a clear picture of each that it's not hard to follow along without confusion. I loved each one of them.
I bought this book right around a time where a death had occurred in my family. I loved it so much I bought hard-cover copies for other family members also going through a sense of loss.
This book is slightly confusing at first, while you're learning multiple characters, and their story. I was confused by Jake's story the most until way later in the book. The ENTIRE book is worth reading all the way through.

My only complaint - I didn't like the ending. It seemed a bit abrupt, and I wanted more closure on certain individuals' stories.
I don't want to say much more without having the give 'spoiler alert' warnings.
I'm finding myself suspicious of 5-star reviews anymore, but I really feel this book deserved it. I initially gave it 4-stars after finishing, and I thought it was a really good, well-written, entertaining story then, but since, I have thought of it so many times and reflected on the descriptions of how people deal with loss and upheaval in their lives, that I have to go back and amend to 5 stars.

I don't want to re-hash the book description, but generally speaking the book is about a number of individuals in a community who in various ways abruptly "lose" something which means so much to them that, for some, in their own minds it even defines them as a person. In subtle ways each of these people crosses paths, but that is not a big aspect of the story. It's really about showing how each of these individuals, when struck with a same/similar malady of loss, copes and deals with their situation. That doesn't mean its a depressing book at all - it does this with a great voice, a sweet sense of humor, and rich characterizations. Initially after reading it I thought that not all of the characters got wrapped up at the end, but after reflection (not that I meant to do it, but the book just continued to come back to me for days) I realized that actually they all did - that they each represented a different, and wholly natural, response (even if that response was not to respond at all), and that each one chose the path they took.

I admit that I happened upon this book at a time of unwanted change in my life, which seemed a very odd coincidence at the time, but I am so very glad I did. I'd like to underline that I don't mean to say that this book is life-changing, or a self-help book, or intending to be anything deep and meaningful. I only mean that I found the right story at the right time, albeit one that I think most people at some point in their lives can relate to. And for me, I appreciated the mental kick-in-the-butt and reminder that I, also, had a choice.

Book clubs - this will be one of the best discussions you'll have all year!
Not something I'll think about too deeply, but I'm sure the author felt the characters were representative of a variety of "human condition" reactions. Felt no particular affection or disaffection for any of the characters or scenarios presented as the evolution of their current state of mind was not really clear or explained in a context that allowed any development of like or dislike. No real story, but instead a string of ramblings and with out ever clearly knowing what was the beginning or end the book. This felt like a middle with no connection of or between the characters only knowing what was lost. Which we knew after the first chapter of each character. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Magical quirky "out there" books can be marvelous, but really need to deliver something or they don't deserve too much additional thought.
I’m sitting here looking at the review screen & not really sure what to write.

First because I don’t write deep literary reviews- just reviews for people to decide if they want to gamble their time and money. So while this was a book that I loved, I can recognize that it won’t be for everyone.

And then, I don’t know what to call it. Fairy tale & fantasy seem a disservice since both descriptions imply childish/gothic images which isn’t the case here. Yes, bizarre, impossible things happen (and are accepted with a pretty blasé attitude) but the story really is about the ordinary people populating the book. And it was those characters that I loved. Beautifully written and told in very brief chapters with alternating viewpoints, I found myself regretting leaving each character and then being happy to see the next. Yes, you can choose to think deeply about the themes of appreciating what you have and need, but for me it was just about enjoying each character and their story.

So … who will share my enthusiasm? Sorry but I have no idea. I guess it is all about expectations. If you need a lot of drama, action and romance as well as traditional structure and resolution (not all of the stories are neatly tied up in the end) this may not be for you. But then, I think of myself as a genre reader- sci fi/mystery/fantasy- and yet this book took me completely by surprise. I would strongly urge anyone to read the kindle sample. The structure continues throughout the book and if you find the writing and characters as interesting as I did you will probably enjoy the book.

I found “Of Things Gone Astray” lovely, lyrical and engrossing. And since I expect to be drawn back to the book, it meets my "I'll read it again"- five stars rating. But this is not at all a traditional book, so set your expectations accordingly.