I’ve read, and didn’t particularly like, The Jane Austen Book Club, so I wasn’t especially interested in reading another book by Karen Joy Fowler. However, what happens so often these days occurred again: I saw a number of positive reviews of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves (2014) on Cannonball Read, and they convinced me that I should give it a try. The story revolves around Rosemary Cook, a rather aimless college student at UC Davis with little to no friends. We know almost immediately […]
It’s got everything: twins, domestic terrorism, pie, and a Madame DeFarge puppet
I didn’t have much hope for this one. I mean, the big tagline on the cover is that it is written by the author of “The Jane Austen Book Club,” which of course I read, and I really despised. But the title kept drawing me back. And then the stellar reviews from my trusted Cannonballers. And the nomination for the Booker prize. I couldn’t say no to this one. This wonderful story is a tale about siblings and family. About science and psychology. About nature and nurture. […]
Best. Title. Ever.
The award for the best title of 2014 has to go to Karen Joy Fowler, don’t we think? It is the reason I even gave this a second glance, and then the deliciously cryptic description hooked me right in. In reviewing this wonderful book, I’m likely going to get spoiler happy, so if you don’t know the big reveal of the novel and don’t want to before you pick it up, stop reading now. Still here? Well ok then. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. […]
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
My sister-in-law read Karen Joy Fowler’s We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and then gave it five stars on Goodreads with this review: “Don’t read any reviews on this book just read it.” She’s not one to be prolific with the perfect ratings so I did just what she advised and I can only suggest you do the same. Unfortunately, when I tried to be a good library citizen (the book was due back and I couldn’t renew due to a wait list), I looked […]