The only reason I award Anne Lamott's novels three stars is that I'm uncertain whether the novel is her most suitable format.

I firmly believe that at heart, she is an essayist. Her essays are truly exquisite,展现出 a remarkable depth and beauty of expression.

Her novels, on the other hand, are also good. They contain numerous moments of that same fantastic wordsmithing that makes her essays so captivating.

However, for some reason, they don't quite come together seamlessly throughout. There are perhaps elements that seem a bit disjointed or don't flow as smoothly as one might expect in a fully realized novel.

Nonetheless, Lamott's talent as a writer is undeniable, and even in her novels, there are many闪光点 that make them worth reading.

It's just that when compared to her essays, the novels may not reach the same level of excellence.

Perhaps with time and further experimentation, she will find a way to make her novels as engaging and cohesive as her essays.

I didn't realize this book was a sort-of-sequel until I was 20 pages in.

By that point, however, I was already thoroughly hooked anyway. I was originally introduced to Anne Lamott through "Operating Instructions".

Now, I can say that I love her fiction just as much. I'm usually really stingy with my 5 stars.

But this one truly deserved it. The characters in the book were likeable, yet flawed.

The writing was so good that it made me cry at certain places.

Moreover, there are certain lines in the book that are definitely worth quoting.

It's rare to find a book that can touch your heart and make you think at the same time.

This one managed to do both, and that's why it gets a well-deserved 5 stars from me.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with relatable characters and beautiful writing.

It's a book that you won't want to put down once you start reading it.

Anne Lamott is an extremely talented writer.

I have a deep affection for the way she portrays the relationship between mothers and daughters in this particular book.

It is quite evident that she must have meticulously taken notes on her own thoughts and feelings during her teenage years.

Her descriptions of Rosie's fears, hopes, joys, and the incredibly profound sadness are simply spot-on.

Rosie's mother, Elizabeth, unfortunately, suffers from depression and is also a recovering alcoholic.

At times, one has the urge to tell her to just get out of bed and start devoting more attention to her daughter.

However, simultaneously, one can't help but sympathize with her fear and grief.

Luckily for both Elizabeth and Rosie, they are encompassed by a diverse and rather motley crew of friends and family members.

Surprisingly, these individuals seem to possess an almost ridiculous amount of free time, which they generously offer to support and care for Elizabeth and Rosie.

This support system, although perhaps a bit unconventional, plays a crucial role in helping the mother and daughter navigate through their difficult circumstances.

It shows that even in the face of challenges, there is always a glimmer of hope and a network of people willing to lend a helping hand.

Anne Lamott's ability to bring these complex characters and their relationships to life is truly remarkable and makes this book a captivating read.

This is the first book of Anne's fiction that I've had the pleasure of reading.

At the beginning, it presented a unique style that made it a bit challenging to fully engage with. However, as I delved deeper into the story, around the halfway mark, my curiosity was piqued, and I found myself eagerly desiring to know the remainder of the narrative.

The family dynamic within the book was truly captivating. The character of the mother, Elizabeth, was portrayed as being in a state of turmoil, which had a profound impact on the entire family. In particular, her struggles significantly influenced her daughter, Rosie.

Overall, it was an interesting story that managed to draw me in and keep me hooked until the very end. I look forward to exploring more of Anne's works in the future.

As I often do, once I discover a new author who intrigues me, I excitedly jump into the library shelves, eagerly in search of all the books available by that author.

On one such occasion, I randomly found "Crooked Little Hearts". I later learned that it is a sort of follow-up to a previous book called "Rosie".

In this particular story, we see Rosie entering her teen years. She is determined to make those years as hurtful and painful as possible to everyone around her. Yes, I understand that she has "issues" and every right to feel insecure, vulnerable, and anxious.

To paraphrase from the back cover, it says "Fathers die, mothers drink, but there's also love, redemption, and the certainty that life goes on." This book seems to explore the complex emotions and experiences that Rosie goes through during this difficult time in her life, and how she ultimately finds a way to move forward and find some measure of peace and happiness.

Everything about this lush book is truly enchanting and constantly reminds you of the beautiful feeling of being loved. The relationships between the characters are not merely evocative and contemplative, causing you to deeply ponder how love operates and whether the redemption of small, ordinary things by love is what truly makes the world turn. Instead, they are literally a transformative journey that you embark on together with the characters. I have never desired to have a teenage daughter, yet Anne makes me feel as if I do. I have never (truly never) wanted a smart but slightly self-absorbed and highly whimsical husband who is constantly immersed in his own dramas. However, the author manages to make the relationship between Elizabeth and her husband seem real and touching, despite these flaws. Summer tennis, the vagaries, idiocies, and idiosyncrasies of young girls growing up, and adults settling into their comfortable relationships... these are the outer subjects of the book. But the inner subject is pure love, which shines through every page and touches the deepest recesses of your heart.

A slow build for me, but in the end I liked it as well as Rosie.

Just like in the previous novel, there were some truly great insights into parenthood and relationships. It was fascinating to explore these aspects through the story.

I also really liked the idea (Luther's) that there is a difference between a cheater and someone who cheated. It's a thought-provoking concept that makes you realize we shouldn't get boxed in by identity labels.

However, what was up with Luther? I usually don't mind a bit of mystery and ambiguity in a book, but with this one, I felt like I missed something crucial.

Was there any concrete connection between Luther and Elizabeth? It left me wondering and guessing, and I couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated that there wasn't a more clear answer.

Overall, despite this one unanswered question, I still enjoyed the book and found it to be an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Crooked Little Heart is the sequel to Rosie. The characters remain largely the same, with just a few new additions to the cast. However, the story is now told from the perspectives of both Rosie and Elizabeth.

Lamott has a truly unique talent for painting vivid pictures with her words. I was completely captivated by the way she described Elizabeth's marriage to James. It felt as if I was right there, experiencing their relationship along with them.

Adding to the intrigue is a new and rather creepy character named Luther. He has a sick and disturbing fascination with Rosie, which adds an element of mystery and suspense to the story. The outcome is not at all what I expected, and I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns that Lamott took.

If you haven't read Rosie yet, I highly recommend starting there. But if you've already fallen in love with that story, then you'll definitely want to continue on to Crooked Little Heart. It's a must-read for fans of Lamott's work.

I had only read Anne Lamott's book on writing (Bird by Bird) and her memoir on faith (Traveling Mercies) up until now, and I had enjoyed both of them.

However, this novel turned out to be even more impressive than I had anticipated.

Her in-depth knowledge of death, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, adolescence, and the intricacies of family made this book incredibly insightful in numerous aspects.

It is truly refreshing to encounter a Christian writer who is not afraid to express herself in a way that might seem more like that of a non-Christian.

Lamott's ability to explore these complex and often taboo topics with honesty and authenticity is what makes her work so engaging and thought-provoking.

Her writing style is accessible and engaging, drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are a part of the story.

This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human condition and the power of faith and redemption.

The feeling of melancholy has passed. Charles once pointed out to him that the remaining melancholy is like a person eating the death of a mouse and waiting for the mouse to die.

We are like those families where a person makes a choice in a crisis and also gathers them around.

This description vividly captures the complex emotions and situations. Melancholy can be a lingering and often difficult emotion to shake off. It's as if one is trapped in a state of waiting and uncertainty, much like the strange analogy of eating the death of a mouse.

And the comparison to families in a crisis shows how we can both make tough choices and yet still come together in the end. It reflects the ebb and flow of life and the various emotions and experiences that shape us.

A troubled journey unfolds for an early teenage girl and her mother in Contemporary California. This story is told from both of their perspectives, offering a unique and in-depth look at their relationship. The father has been long-lost due to a tragic car accident, and neither the girl nor her mother has been able to move past it. However, as the novel progresses, they gradually grow to understand and value each other more deeply. They begin to let go of the man they loved so much, and in the process, they discover newfound strength and connection within themselves.

If you haven't read Anne Lamott before, you should definitely give her a try. She is a truly great writer. While I liked Traveling Mercies better (and you should read that if you haven't for sure!), she did an outstanding job with this book as well. She conducted great research and was able to get into the head of a teenage girl with remarkable accuracy, which is no easy feat. Her writing is engaging, emotional, and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story.

This novel is not the best writing I've come across lately.

However, I still found myself compelled to finish it. It is part bildungsroman and part middle age angst.

The characters in the novel seemed more interesting than the story itself. Lamott has a talent for ending many chapters with poetic imagery, and she knows how to frame and provide context for the characters.

Nevertheless, the plot is rather thin and lacking in drama. Given my knowledge of Lamott's other works, I'm certain that I'm in the minority when it comes to this assessment.

Perhaps others will find more to appreciate in the story, but for me, the characters were the highlight, while the plot left something to be desired.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not one that I would highly recommend.