Comments (24)

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Nov 23, 2022ReadWithJessica rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
O’Neill’s prose is so whimsical that this story about the seedy underworld of 1930s Montreal feels like a fairytale.
Jun 27, 2022WPL_JessB rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
O'Neill is such a compelling writer and she manages to effortlessly bring you into the darkly whimsical world of Montreal during the Great Depression. This beautiful story crushed me. And it tried to put me back together. I don't know if…
May 15, 2022marybellinger rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book had a little bit of everything; historical fiction (Montreal and New York life in the Great Depression), great characterizations, a little twist of "who dunnit" (or will do it), romance, sex, and an amazingly creative storyline. …
Mar 14, 2022
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Feb 15, 2021wendybird rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
There is no doubt the writing is magical and bouyant as a circus - an amazing, dancing work in many ways. Initially, the tone seems borrowed more from a child's fairy tale or star dusted picture book than an adult novel. Fittingly, we meet…
Dec 14, 2020
Couldn't get past the first description of child sexual abuse. That is disgusting, not entertainment.
Nov 16, 2020MrsRedbeard rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Dark, organic journey through a tough landscape. While graphic in places, sometimes a dirty little book, the transition is well illustrated. A sad story that shows you can't judge a book by its cover. Worth reading, but a tough read.
Mar 11, 2020nashedmonton rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Heather's books are sheer delight. My only regret she doesn't write more books. Her stories are magical.
Sep 02, 2019BruceLeeReads rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Praise: Interesting story arc that is gritty and dark with splashes of whimsy. The characters are relatable, yet unique despite their horrendous experiences. I really enjoy the prose since it's written in a wonderfully flowery way without…
Apr 25, 2019
The "author" seems to have put together bits from other books and then her own sexually fantasies to come up with a book that I'm surprised anyone would publish. Poorly written nonsense. Didn't even get half way through it, and I'm…
Dec 19, 2018stellamd rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable read. Fast paced. Interesting characters.
Oct 05, 2018Adw555 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Descriptive and magical. Pierrot and Rose grew up in the same orphanage in Montreal, both abandoned there as newborn babies. A love develops between the two despite many obstacles: poverty, jealousy, crime, addiction. Their lives…
Sep 26, 2018endora rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I really loved this book, period. A love story, but not in the conventional sense. It is a wild and often crazy story, written by an author who has more imagination than any other author I can think of right now! I kept saying to myself…
Jul 04, 2018KatTheGreat rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I am someone who will typically finish reading a book this length in 2-4 days, depending on how interested I am in the plot. It took me the entire 3 weeks of my library borrowing period to force myself to get through this one. It's not…
Jan 20, 2018doxland rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Stupid Book. Bizarre. Quit half way through. Might be burnable. Don't recommend it to a friend.
Jul 01, 2017Margush rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Drugs, prostitution, abusive relationships and someone's strong will to get out of that nightmare.This is Heather O'Neill's second book based on these topics. I have no idea how she's able to be so descriptive and precise in providing all…
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Jun 28, 2017X4052010709 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book and have just finished Lullabies for Little Criminals. I find her writing style almost lyrical and enjoyed both books immensely. I have never read anything like The Lonely Hearts Hotel, and I believe it will be at the top…
Jun 10, 2017dirtbag rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I quit when I was three quarters of the way through the book. I just never cared what happened to the two protagonists and there didn't seem to be any plot development. If you haven't read a book by this woman, read 'Lullabies for Little…
Mar 31, 2017laphampeak rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Quite imaginative, the characters as well as the story.Two little orphans growing up and apart yet always intertwined. The book is quirky, sad, creative, and naughty. Great read.
Mar 25, 2017karen3515 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Set in depression-era Montreal, this deeply dark and disturbing fairly tale is woven with unforgettable characters and richly graphic metaphors. Incredibly well written, but definitely not for the faint of heart.
Mar 23, 2017SPL_Shauna rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you loved the setting of Water for Elephants, and you're looking for another high-drama read, this may be the book for you. O'Neill's prose is more stylized, which some may love and some may not. If you can work with her prose style,…
Mar 05, 2017Amy_MarkhamPL rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
No one writes like Heather O'Neill- her descriptions are unexpected, strange, and magical. I loved every last moment of this completely bonkers novel. It's just endlessly inventive and joyful, even when it's sad.
Feb 27, 2017KateHillier rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It started out strong for me. Quirky kids in depressing circumstances and then thriving in unexpected ways in spite of them. It lulled in the middle as the inevitability of certain things happened but once they did is when things got…
Feb 26, 2017
Another marvelous, wonderful book from Heather O'Neill! Everything about her writing is delightful. Her similes, for example: a character "exhaled a row of smoke rings that looked like a row of ballerinas in tutus spinning by"; or,…