Reviews

Harmony by Carolyn Parkhurst

sturbock's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Didn't like the ending/would've wished for a different moral of the story

bjhg5053's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

paroof's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I liked the characters, especially Tilly and I thought the author did a great job of writing a believable family. I thought the story was good, not great, just good. I appreciated that it wasn't too over-the-top. It was a nice, easy read and I enjoyed it.

kristianawithak's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

The structure of this novel was well utilized, the plot unfolds between perspectives, past, present, and future, respectively. The mother, Alexandra, tells of the events that lead the family to camp Harmony, Iris tells the storyline that occurs in camp Harmony, which is more chilling and ominous from an 11 year old than from a mother looking back, and Tilly’s chapters help you know that something did not end well without giving anything away or making entire sense until part way through the book. There is a sense of foreboding and unease that begins a slow burn of anticipation, but it doesn’t entirely pay off at the end. The conclusion is not very surprising but not wholly unsatisfying.

The perspective on parenting, and parenting a child with autism, was interesting. Iris coming into her own as a daughter and an individual is well deployed. Something was slightly unsatisfying when it was over.

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

An interesting book, and a compelling one. Parts of it worked better for me than others. All the foreboding and foreshadowing led me to imagine far greater horrors than what actually unfolded, so it did feel a little anti-climactic at the end. And there were unresolved loose ends that I found frustrating as well.

lexiesophocli's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

not good but not bad - the diary entries between chapters made it feel a bit disjointed and the book felt too short, but not at the end, more in the middle. it ended too soon, but also soon enough bc it was getting a bit tedious.  
the ending was a bit slapped-together which made it seem like an accident, and it was all very predictable. 

weesecup's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Good book...the twists and turns kept it interesting. I would recommend this book to friend. The different character POVs really aided in the book's success.

mcearl12's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Very good book!

libwinnie's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The foreshadowing in this book is riveting. When the Hammonds leave Washington, D.C. to help set up a camp for families with special needs children you can feel something isn't right. In addition to exploring a growing social issue, this story examines just how far a parent will go when they feel their child has run out of options.

k_shimer's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings