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amysbrittain's review against another edition
4.0
Lady’s maid in love with the lady, racy scenes, angst, wonderful details of a life in service to a wealthy family in 1830s New York, Irish gangs, people pretending to be other than they are, shifted expectations, true friendship—loved this!
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
Great romatic historical fiction that is partly gay, what's not to like? The storytelling in the book is so well crafted and very vividly told.
starrwad's review against another edition
4.0
Fingersmith + Gangs of New York? I am all the way here for that although I would have loved a little more Gangs of New York thrown in. The characters felt fleshed out and real. Mary's longing was so tangible. Some reviewers had a problem suspending disbelief. I did not.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. I ended up listening to this on Scribd, and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. I ended up listening to this on Scribd, and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.
andipants's review against another edition
3.0
The author does a fantastic job of evoking the time and place — the sights and sounds, the smells, the experience of walking around in 19th century New York. She also pays careful attention to her world-building — the upstairs/downstairs interplay, racial and ethnic tensions, poverty, politics, and gang activity of the time are all explored here, at least to some extent.
The plot is interesting, although the "double life" aspect is way oversold in the blurb. Mary spends her nights off drinking in a pub, mostly ignoring her brother's friends, and later carrying on a relationship with a working girl; she has no interest in politics and doesn't even realize until halfway through the book that her brother is involved at all with gang life, shortly after which he cuts off ties with her and she spends most of the rest of the book not interacting with him at all. Her focus is almost entirely on her life at the Walden house. This was, in fact, one of the weakest aspects of the book: Mary's relationship with her brother, and the events connected to his gang activity, often seem barely connected to the thread of the story overall. When things happen, there is a distinct lack of emotional depth or resonance; the only thing we see her being terribly emotional over for most of the book, is her secret love for Charlotte (). Mary's relationship with her brother, which ought to be the heart of the conflict, feels terribly underdeveloped, and her connection with Liddie is unsatisfying.
In the end, there were elements that I really liked, but given the setup, this should have been a love for me, and it just fell a bit short. Not bad, but could have been much better.
The plot is interesting, although the "double life" aspect is way oversold in the blurb. Mary spends her nights off drinking in a pub, mostly ignoring her brother's friends, and later carrying on a relationship with a working girl; she has no interest in politics and doesn't even realize until halfway through the book that her brother is involved at all with gang life, shortly after which he cuts off ties with her and she spends most of the rest of the book not interacting with him at all. Her focus is almost entirely on her life at the Walden house. This was, in fact, one of the weakest aspects of the book: Mary's relationship with her brother, and the events connected to his gang activity, often seem barely connected to the thread of the story overall. When things happen, there is a distinct lack of emotional depth or resonance; the only thing we see her being terribly emotional over for most of the book, is her secret love for Charlotte (
Spoiler
which ultimately, obviously, goes nowhereSpoiler
She settles for Liddie because she's there; we get no impression at all that she appreciates the relationship or has any kind of significant feelings for her; ultimately it comes off as kind of selfish and I just feel bad for Liddie.In the end, there were elements that I really liked, but given the setup, this should have been a love for me, and it just fell a bit short. Not bad, but could have been much better.
emkc23's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rachaelofficially's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
sab_rose's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book!
I am surprised that it isn't more popular.
What I loved most about this book is that it was so raw in the emotion and character development.
Guadagnino isn't trying to get you to love the main characters by showing the flaws with each. To me, it made it more real.
Highly, highly recommend to readers who love Historical Fiction but are growing tired of the same stories about unconventionally strong women who claimed to be happy single but somehow ends up with a gentleman who enjoys her unorthodox behavior.
I am surprised that it isn't more popular.
What I loved most about this book is that it was so raw in the emotion and character development.
Guadagnino isn't trying to get you to love the main characters by showing the flaws with each. To me, it made it more real.
Highly, highly recommend to readers who love Historical Fiction but are growing tired of the same stories about unconventionally strong women who claimed to be happy single but somehow ends up with a gentleman who enjoys her unorthodox behavior.
s_lorenz's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Cursing, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Death of parent, Blood, Racism, Sexual assault, Abortion, Classism, and Homophobia
whatsjennareading's review
4.0
My goodness, what a ride! Equal parts sensual, smart, and violent, The Parting Glass is a lavishly written, expertly detailed, historical drama. The cover blurb describes it as Downton Abbey meets Gangs of New York, which sums it up pretty perfectly. It’s also SO GAY. I’ve been on the hunt for stories that feature f/f relationships that do not somehow center around a man and this one fits the bill! Guadagnino has packed so much into her debut, seamlessly weaving several love stories together with the realties of immigrant life in 1830s Manhattan. She also masterfully juxtaposes upstairs/downstairs culture with the harsh and gritty portrayal of Tammany Hall.
After an unexpected and painful departure from Ireland, Marie O’Farren and her devoted twin brother, Seanin find themselves on the shores of Manhattan with only the clothes on their backs. They make their way to the pub of a family friend who is able to help them secure work together at the Walden household–Seanin as a groom and Marie as a lady’s maid to Charlotte Walden. In order to survive in America they must hide their Irish identities, and so become Mary Ballard and Johnny Prior of no relation. Each Thursday they’re able to shed these new personas as they secretly make their way back to their friend Dermot’s pub for the night.
From the moment she laid eyes on Charlotte Walden, Mary was hopelessly and desperately in love. Despite the intimacy formed during their time together, Mary’s love remains unrequited as Charlotte’s heart belongs to Johnny, who she has been seeing in secret. Each week Mary leaves her window open at Charlotte’s request, so Johnny can sneak in and be with her. Each night after, Mary must push all of her pain and jealousy aside as she and Johnny carefully walk across the city and back to the Hibernian, where they live on their nights off. After several months, all of Mary’s pent up frustration finally finds a grateful release in the arms (and bed) of Liddie, a local prostitute.
Despite their mutual love, Johnny knows that Charlotte will not be with him. As one of the central figure’s of Manhattan’s high society, it would be an impossibility for Charlotte to marry her groom. It is with this knowledge that he begins to look for a means change his status, and he eventually finds a high ranking place within Tammany Hall. Mary and Charlotte know nothing of Johnny’s second life until it all comes to a head one fateful night. What follows is a desperate unraveling of the carefully tied up secrets of Marie, Seanin, Charlotte, and so many others.
I read The Parting Glass in a single sitting. Guadagnino’s detailed writing, dynamic characters, lush setting, intricate plot, and steamy sex all combined together to form a perfect historical fiction. Her depictions of everything from the Walden house to the streets of Manhattan were crafted with so much care that I felt like I was there. She took that same care breathing life into each one of her characters, making them all memorable and distinct. This book is so so good and I truly cannot wait to read more of her work!
A huge thanks to Edelweiss and Atria Books for this advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review!!
After an unexpected and painful departure from Ireland, Marie O’Farren and her devoted twin brother, Seanin find themselves on the shores of Manhattan with only the clothes on their backs. They make their way to the pub of a family friend who is able to help them secure work together at the Walden household–Seanin as a groom and Marie as a lady’s maid to Charlotte Walden. In order to survive in America they must hide their Irish identities, and so become Mary Ballard and Johnny Prior of no relation. Each Thursday they’re able to shed these new personas as they secretly make their way back to their friend Dermot’s pub for the night.
From the moment she laid eyes on Charlotte Walden, Mary was hopelessly and desperately in love. Despite the intimacy formed during their time together, Mary’s love remains unrequited as Charlotte’s heart belongs to Johnny, who she has been seeing in secret. Each week Mary leaves her window open at Charlotte’s request, so Johnny can sneak in and be with her. Each night after, Mary must push all of her pain and jealousy aside as she and Johnny carefully walk across the city and back to the Hibernian, where they live on their nights off. After several months, all of Mary’s pent up frustration finally finds a grateful release in the arms (and bed) of Liddie, a local prostitute.
Despite their mutual love, Johnny knows that Charlotte will not be with him. As one of the central figure’s of Manhattan’s high society, it would be an impossibility for Charlotte to marry her groom. It is with this knowledge that he begins to look for a means change his status, and he eventually finds a high ranking place within Tammany Hall. Mary and Charlotte know nothing of Johnny’s second life until it all comes to a head one fateful night. What follows is a desperate unraveling of the carefully tied up secrets of Marie, Seanin, Charlotte, and so many others.
I read The Parting Glass in a single sitting. Guadagnino’s detailed writing, dynamic characters, lush setting, intricate plot, and steamy sex all combined together to form a perfect historical fiction. Her depictions of everything from the Walden house to the streets of Manhattan were crafted with so much care that I felt like I was there. She took that same care breathing life into each one of her characters, making them all memorable and distinct. This book is so so good and I truly cannot wait to read more of her work!
A huge thanks to Edelweiss and Atria Books for this advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review!!