Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book but found it very rambling to start took me a while to follow the various interconnected threads
I’d didn’t think it was good as previous books by the author
Life after life, and a god in ruins.
I’d didn’t think it was good as previous books by the author
Life after life, and a god in ruins.
In the beginning I was overwhelmed with the number of characters and seemingly unrelated story lines but stay with it - I couldn't put the last quarter of the book down.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book about Nellie Coker and her illicit nightclubs in London. The story is webbed together by many characters, and some of them are hard to keep track of at first, especially since I was reading on my Kindle. However, once I got into the book (it took a few pages for me), I really enjoyed the glimpse of London during the roaring 20s, just after the Great War and (sadly) before the next one. Atkinson is a talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was....fine. I've only read [b:Life After Life|15790842|Life After Life (Todd Family, #1)|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358173808l/15790842._SY75_.jpg|21443207] before, and this was noticeably less complex. I enjoyed it because...the 1920s, but I'm not sure I would say it was good. Also, the end seemed expediently bleak.
This book has a lot to say about librarians.
Quotable: “The library had not been a career choice (after all, who would choose to be a librarian?) but a financial necessity after the family money was lost.”
“‘The library?’ Freda echoed, unable to keep the horror out of her voice. A library—the deathliest place on earth.”
"She was quite expressive for a librarian. Almost Italian. The word 'librarian' had previously conjured up an image of a vinegary spinster, not the animated creature before him."
"She supposed librarians rarely disturbed the status quo of a man's heart."
"A woman in her sixth decade, dressed in everyday garb, is more invisible than a librarian."
This book has a lot to say about librarians.
Quotable: “The library had not been a career choice (after all, who would choose to be a librarian?) but a financial necessity after the family money was lost.”
“‘The library?’ Freda echoed, unable to keep the horror out of her voice. A library—the deathliest place on earth.”
"She was quite expressive for a librarian. Almost Italian. The word 'librarian' had previously conjured up an image of a vinegary spinster, not the animated creature before him."
"She supposed librarians rarely disturbed the status quo of a man's heart."
"A woman in her sixth decade, dressed in everyday garb, is more invisible than a librarian."
[audiobook]
Wish I could give this 5 stars, because I really was invested by the end but it's just so... pedestrian? The ending is so matter of fact it retroactively made me realize the entire novel is very just matter of fact and straightforward. Which is both a testament to how strong the writing was and how weak the actual plot was.
Wish I could give this 5 stars, because I really was invested by the end but it's just so... pedestrian? The ending is so matter of fact it retroactively made me realize the entire novel is very just matter of fact and straightforward. Which is both a testament to how strong the writing was and how weak the actual plot was.
A moderately paced and richly layered novel with an ensemble cast of characters all grounded by the key protagonists, Nellie Coker, Chief Inspector Frobisher, Gwendolen Kelling set in 1926 Soho.
Mystery, murder and intrigue threaded throughout. The author does a good job of keeping the mystery alive and Ms Kelling in the "pink".
Mystery, murder and intrigue threaded throughout. The author does a good job of keeping the mystery alive and Ms Kelling in the "pink".
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5
Not complicated, but enjoyable. A good read to get my mind off other things. As with most mystery-types, I found it wrapped up rather quickly/conveniently, but ah well.
And if anyone wants to translate this author referenced book… It’s almost out of copyright protections I think? ;) https://euvs-vintage-cocktail-books.cld.bz/1926-Cocktails-by-W-Slagter
Not complicated, but enjoyable. A good read to get my mind off other things. As with most mystery-types, I found it wrapped up rather quickly/conveniently, but ah well.
And if anyone wants to translate this author referenced book… It’s almost out of copyright protections I think? ;) https://euvs-vintage-cocktail-books.cld.bz/1926-Cocktails-by-W-Slagter
Even with everything going on, I found this book strangely inert and ultimately pointless. Three stars because Kate Atkinson can certainly write, but just not my cup of tea.