A Good Hard Look by Ann Napolitano

 

A Good Hard Look by Ann Napolitano

I saw a giveaway for this book on Instagram and thought it sounded fascinating, so I entered, eager to read the book. But when I added it to my Goodreads list, I saw it was already published and had just gotten a facelift! So I got it from the library and dove in.

This book instantly transported me back in time to Milledgeville. I loved getting a peek inside Flannery’s life, and I love how everyone's lives twisted together. This book is the epitome of literary fiction to me - getting to know everyone at a leisurely pace and letting it build until it all unwinds. It gave me Tom Perrotta vibes in a way.

I've read other Napolitano books (Dear Edward - 3* and Hello Beautiful - 4*) that I liked, so I'll definitely keep reading more by her. But I think the thing I liked most about this book was the historical fiction angle. It reminded me a lot of Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor - one of my favorite reads this year. Cantor also has other historical fiction/alternate history books that I really loved, so I'd recommend her if you like A Good Hard Look.