I usually love character novels. I love getting wrapped up in each character's personality and understanding why they do what they do. I don't necessarily need a plot driving me forward all of the time. With that being said, this was a little too meandering for me. I did like the characters, especially Donal and Herman the German, a lot. I loved how Donal used his autograph book to connect with people on his journey. For some reason though, I had to force myself to pick up the book to keep reading. It felt like a college English assignment that I had to do, even though I didn't feel like it. I do feel like that analogy is doing this novel a disservice. It was quite charming, set in 1951. A young boy and his "Grandpa" setting off on a grand summer adventure. What's not to love?
I was never in fear that Herman was going to be arrested - or Donal sent to an orphanage - because it seemed like a coming-of-age story for Donal more than anything. I thought he would spend more time in Manitowoc with Aunt Kate. I actually thought we would get to know her better, and know more about her relationship with Herman. That ended up being a brief "blip" of the entire summer.
I liked the ending. I liked that it ended, and I liked how it ended. ;) Seriously though, I am happy that Donal got to stay (presumably) with both Herman and his Grandma. It would have been so hard for Donal to say goodbye to Herman after everything they had gone through together.
I read this for one of my book clubs - and everyone else really liked it. I was the odd-person out, which is unusual - so maybe it was just my mood. This was the author's last novel, since he died the year it was published (2015). I actually felt more emotion about that fact (which I found out after I finished the book) than I did about the book. RIP Ivan Doig.
Wendy's Rating: ***
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