Someone; Alice McDermott
Farrar, Straus and Giroux - 2013
Our October book group read was Someone by Alice McDermott. We had a full house for this discussion and, for the most part everyone enjoyed this novel on some level. (I really liked it a lot - a 4.5/5 stars for me. This book had me requesting one more of McDermott's books: After This, which I hope to get to this month).
Amazon Description
An ordinary life-its sharp pains and unexpected joys, its bursts of clarity and moments of confusion-lived by an ordinary, but unforgettable woman: this is the subject of Someone, Alice McDermott's extraordinary seventh novel.
We first glimpse Marie Commeford as a child: a girl in thick glasses observing her pre-Depression world from a Brooklyn stoop. Through her first heartbreak and eventual marriage; her delicate brother's brief stint as a Catholic priest and his emotional breakdown; her career as a funeral director's "consoling angel"; the deaths of her parents and the births of her children-we follow Marie through the changing world of the twentieth century and her Irish-American enclave. Rendered with remarkable empathy and insight, Someone is a novel that speaks of life as it is daily lived, with passion and heartbreak, a crowning achievement of one of the finest American writers at work today.
Book Group Comments
- A quiet enjoyable novel, character driven, but not much action
- A couple of readers thought it was reminiscent of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- The writing was great and so descriptive; read it in 2 sittings
- Strong brother sister bond was special
- I loved Marie the main character; she was real yet ordinary but just so likable. The story begins when Marie was 7 and follows her through the end of her life in an assisted living facility
- Marie's first boyfriend, Walter was a cad. He was no prize physically yet he broke up with her and said he was going to marry someone "prettier and whose family had more money".
- A story of life, love and heartbreak
Diane, this sounds like my kind of read. I'm glad your book club enjoyed it. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like this too.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try this one too.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really good one!
ReplyDeleteI like how you include the book club comments - these are quite helpful. I've enjoyed McDermott, what I've read. A favorite is Child of My Heart, though that novel wouldn't appeal to everyone because of some controversial parts. (I don't know if this comment will appear, I have a great deal of difficulty commenting here.)
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has been on my reading list forever so I think I would like a book that has shades of it.
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my 'to read' list for way too long! Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading your review, I was thinking A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- one of my favorites! I need to see if I can put this one on hold at my library! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Alice McDermott!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to add this to my list. I don't think I've ever read McDermott.
ReplyDelete