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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This was a beautifully written book. It was a sad read because one knows the end of the story from the start. It made me want to know more about the Astor family as people. Not just as incredibly wealthy Americans during the gilded age. .
To be fair, this was a book club book that I would not have chosen to read on my own. I almost couldn’t finish it. The author says the story is based on intense research, but the story to me was a whole lot of nothing. They meet, plan a wedding (for far too many pages), get married, hang out for a while in Maine, get pregnant, go to Egypt on a ship then leave for home on the Titanic. She gets bothered by the paparazzi of the day throughout the book. The Titanic chapters were okay but I was so bored by then it didn’t matter.
It was a fine book, for me it read too much like a romance novel, which isn't my thing.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
A gorgeous love story so beautiful and heartbreaking…it might take me a few days to recover, and the rest of my life to find such a love.
Generally, I'm fascinated by anything having to do with the Titanic. This book, however, was an exception. It was quite well-written, with some very evocative descriptions. My problem, however, was with Madeleine; I just don't find her a terribly interesting character. Very much a product of her time and social station, she never actually does anything. She enters into what was considered a "scandalous" marriage, but, while she was technically defying social mores, without any defiance. Another reviewer described her as "harebrained," but I didn't see her that way. I tried to keep in mind that, really, she was quite a young woman, very sheltered and very privileged, who was content to adhere to the conventions of the times. I just prefer lead characters who take action, who try to influence their situations for good or ill, and who have a little more gumption.
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audiobook Review: This is one of the books I’ve read this year, that I loved. It brought me to tears. These well written characters based on real people. The Delicious “scandal” and tragedy. Can you imagine if this were a real memoir to her son. This was a well written book. The story made my heart flutter. The characters I actually loved and cared about. Even though I knew how the story ended. Madeline even cared about the minor characters like Kitty the Dog.. the valet that was lost. She even cared for her nurse and maid. Even though this is a work of historical fiction based on true events. It does bring about the life of which these characters lived.
The Narrator: she did a well enough job. But… it’s the breathiness that got me.
The Narrator: she did a well enough job. But… it’s the breathiness that got me.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No