Best Concept:

When life throws challenges at us and things get really tough, it can feel as if the world is crashing down around us. Maybe we've made a huge mistake that we're ashamed of or embarrassed ourselves in front of others. In those moments, it's easy to get caught up in the negative emotions and feel like there's no way out.

However, here's a powerful concept to keep in mind. Just think about it - in 100 years, the entire world will be filled with new people. The mistakes and embarrassments that seem so huge to us now will be long forgotten. This perspective can help us put things into perspective and realize that our current difficulties are just a small blip in the grand scheme of things.

By focusing on this concept, we can gain a sense of detachment and move forward with a more positive attitude. We can learn from our mistakes, grow as individuals, and not let the past hold us back. So, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember this concept and let it give you the strength and courage to face whatever comes your way.

It really annoys me that this work is titled "a novel."

Firstly, the level of detail is so extremely personal and goes on and on. Moreover, the protagonist's name is too blatantly a derivative of the author's, which makes it seem more like a memoir rather than a fictional novel.

Secondly, and perhaps more significantly, NOTHING HAPPENS in the story. I have to admit that it is brilliantly written and is filled with numerous nuggets of truth and wisdom. However, it just comes across as a random ramble about real life.

I guess I've been overly influenced lately by my reading of Robert McKee's "Story." As a result, I find myself having less patience with anything that doesn't have a clear arc and action. But that's the beauty of books, I suppose. They don't necessarily have to be as archetypal as films in order to capture our attention and impart valuable lessons.

In conclusion, while this work may not meet my expectations of a traditional novel, it still has its own merits and can offer a unique reading experience.

I didn't approach this book with overly high expectations.

Consequently, when it didn't measure up to works like Traveling Mercies, Bird by Bird, and Operating Instructions, I wasn't overly astonished.

The characters in this book didn't come as a surprise either. There's always that group of tearful women from Marin County, California. There's someone who attends a black Presbyterian church, someone who plays tennis, someone with unruly hair, and of course, there will be someone with a drinking problem.

We've heard this kind of story numerous times before.

However, I think I have a greater preference for when it's told from the first-person perspective rather than being presented as third-person fiction.

Perhaps the first-person narrative allows for a more intimate and engaging connection with the story and the characters.

It gives the reader a sense of being directly involved in the experiences and emotions of the protagonist.

In contrast, the third-person fiction can sometimes feel a bit more distant and detached.

Nonetheless, this book still has its merits and may appeal to some readers despite not meeting my initial expectations.

A beautifully written and yet deeply flawed novel.

The problem, as I see it, might be that Lamott has penned a fictional memoir and is thus trapped within her own construct. The lyrical and touching writing simply doesn't match up to the plot. Did I mention plot? Well, while it's widely acknowledged that a literary novel doesn't necessarily need a plot in the same way a mystery does, it is still anticipated that there is some sense of building tension that justifies the book's conclusion. This is rather like the first three-quarters of a great book where the author either found it too dull or too painful to carry on to the end of the story. Nevertheless, there are indeed some truly shining passages, as one would anticipate from this author.

Her words have the power to transport the reader and create vivid images in the mind. However, the overall structure and development of the story seem to be lacking. It's a pity because with a bit more attention to the plot and a stronger sense of direction, this could have been an outstanding novel. As it stands, it's a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance but also significant flaws that prevent it from reaching its full potential.