The Flying Troutmans

Reviews (See all 164) Write a reviewfor this

It's a hit!

As if they needed more proof – the people in my coffee shop once again think I’m some kind of strange. This is one of those books that had me grinn... (show more)

As if they needed more proof – the people in my coffee shop once again think I’m some kind of strange. This is one of those books that had me grinning like an idiot and chuckling to myself. I couldn’t help it, and when the coffee shop crowd popped their heads up from their laptops to look around like so many gophers it just made matters worse.

I really enjoyed this book.

Pathos and humour are a difficult combination, but Toews does a brilliant job. A wry Aunt, pressed into service looking after two wonky but oh so real kids, takes off on what is anything but your typical road trip. There is heartbreak and redemption both to be found here, and the characters fill you with… I don’t know… faith perhaps.

This book might make you cry a little – but it will definitely make you laugh, and maybe in places you would not think to look for laughter. But this isn’t laugher to mask pain or insecurities; it is laughter in its most important role – as compassion. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

I did finish it but I'm not sure why. It was well written in parts (although I found the way she writes dialogue irritating) but it felt a bit for... (show more)

I did finish it but I'm not sure why. It was well written in parts (although I found the way she writes dialogue irritating) but it felt a bit forced. The precocious 11-yr old was just a little too precocious; the mad mother (possibly the most interesting person in the book) was a little too mad and actually quite un-likeable.

It felt as if she were trying to channel "Little Miss Sunshine" but without the charm. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

More Reviews

• 
  

  I'd read Miriam Toews' 'A Complicated Kindness' couple of months back and enjoyed it.I was quite looking forward to 'T Flying Troutmans' and wasnt disappointed.This book is magic!

  It deals w/ a disfunctioning and broken family on the verge of further break pretty much like ACK.

  Hattie has a freshly broken heart and comes back to Canada to look after her sister Min's children Thebie and Logan while Min struggles w/ mental illness.
  Hattie has so much love to give to the kids and Min and ... (show more)

  I'd read Miriam Toews' 'A Complicated Kindness' couple of months back and enjoyed it.I was quite looking forward to 'T Flying Troutmans' and wasnt disappointed.This book is magic!

  It deals w/ a disfunctioning and broken family on the verge of further break pretty much like ACK.

  Hattie has a freshly broken heart and comes back to Canada to look after her sister Min's children Thebie and Logan while Min struggles w/ mental illness.
  Hattie has so much love to give to the kids and Min and yet struggles to make a decision to stay or go.They go on a road trip to find Cherkis, the kids' long-gone dad (driven away by Min).
  I love all the characters: Hattie(could have used a bit more work!),Logan, Adam(the american hippie),the woman in the superman t-shirt but Thebie is my favourite; with her purple hair and eccentricities she weirds out most people but she's just a child prematurely grown up.

  The details are stunning and the dialouges are hilarious.

  This is very much worth a read! (show less)

   

  by Facebook User on Aug 14, 2009 at 05:52PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• 
  

  This very funny book had me smiling most of the time and laughing out loud often, even on the bus! There's almost no plot to speak off. 30-something Aunt Hattie (the narrator of the story) takes her 15-year-old nephew and 11-year-old niece on a road trip in a semi-road-worthy van to find the children's long-gone father when their mother is committed to hospital for severe mental illness. Most of the story is Hattie's wonderfully droll descriptions of her attempts to connect with the childr... (show more)

  This very funny book had me smiling most of the time and laughing out loud often, even on the bus! There's almost no plot to speak off. 30-something Aunt Hattie (the narrator of the story) takes her 15-year-old nephew and 11-year-old niece on a road trip in a semi-road-worthy van to find the children's long-gone father when their mother is committed to hospital for severe mental illness. Most of the story is Hattie's wonderfully droll descriptions of her attempts to connect with the children and their eccentric antics during the trip. At its heart, this is Hattie's coming of age story (in fact, the book reminded me of the movie Little Miss Sunshine, but with fewer adults). Hattie left home as soon as she could to get away from her sister, who has been dealing with mental illness for all of Hattie's life. Now she has to confront real responsibilities and make some crucial decisions about her life's direction. It sounds serious, but Toews's style is light and breezy and fun to read. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on May 21, 2009 at 01:48PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• See all reviews
  Write a review