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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and I loved the picture of interwar London that Atkinson painted. It lost a star for the oddly abrupt ending, though.
Kate Atkinson is always enjoyable and there was so much to like in this very anticipated library loan. However, it took a bit too long to get a grip of - I was waiting for something major to happen, only to realise that I had read more than half. Don't get me wrong - her characters, settings and langauge is as good as always, but it didn't capture me as much as her previous novels.
Spoiler
I truly want to hear about Gwendolen and Niven's future destinies, and I hope she opened up for this by their open ending. If not, their ending was right for them :).
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sudden ending!
Rollicking good time, if you like police procedural. Large cast of strong, well developed characters. I wasn't sure how it was all going to wrap up...
Rollicking good time, if you like police procedural. Large cast of strong, well developed characters. I wasn't sure how it was all going to wrap up...
I just loved this book! The plotting! The characters! I didn't want it to end. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great!
Apparently, I have deeper gratitude towards my reading choices this year because although I was lost for a good portion of Shrines of Gaiety, I am still enamored enough to hand out another 5-star rating. Kate Atkinson develops characters who could occupy our own heads with some of our own thoughts, twists them into the story, and the result either makes you smirk, squirm or laugh. Her magical rendition of the queen of 1920's SOHO in London, Kate Meyrick as the fictional Nellie Coker and the Coker family is intelligent, witty, and in the end magically normal. Full of research about how the Great War influenced the need for fun and distraction while hauling in the gangster life, trying to pull people out of poverty and into the glitz of hope. Unfortunately, the byproduct of all this fun was dead bodies in the Thames and some nasty addiction issues that carried into the next era. The characters were fun, the suspense was appealing and the end was open. Most notably, life continued on at the end. With a small dose of patience, it all came together beautifully (in my head) and I was no longer lost. This will be my favorite Kate Atkinson novel to date.
Good writing, but so many characters I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. I had to stop about halfway through and leave the heavy hardcover home during a trip, and when I got back, I didn't feel compelled to pick it back up. Might try this one again years from now though?
Loved this book, loads of characters, and a lot happening. The audio was fabulous, Jason Watkins made the story come alive.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Setting : London
A well written & engaging tale with a boat load of characters and a tad too long!
A well written & engaging tale with a boat load of characters and a tad too long!
Compelling read. Hard to put down. I’ve had mixed impressions of Atkinson but this is a good one.