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robinwalter's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
A pleasant story, with some very unpleasant characters. The story of the very sheltered Annabel finding her niche in life and love was sweet but unremarkable. This might have been because the personalities of the antagonists were much more fleshed out than Annabel's. Of her rival in love, the selfish spoiled rich girl, we are told that "Lady Harth, Octavia's mother, was an Australian with vast monies coming to her yearly from obliging sheep."
A brief flash of humour that helped paint a picture of the character.
Similarly, Annabel's work colleagues were depicted in detail, showing one as nice, one as vicious and venal, and one passively petty. Annabel's family were likewise described in detail, her dour and devout father, her long-suffering mother, her awkwardly shallow and selfish sister. Even the man she falls for was given strengths and weaknesses, and a back story to explain him.
Annabel herself though was a bit of a blank page for much of the story. This was by design obviously since she was very shy and retiring and devoid of self-confidence, her growing out of those traits one of the major arcs in the story. Nevertheless, having such a passive protagonist for half the book or more meant that I didn't feel drawn into the story.
The excellent introduction by Elizabeth Crawford mentioned that Streatfield never promoted or pushed her links to the Scarlett novels, and on the strength of the rather neutral impression left by this one, that decision is understandable.
A brief flash of humour that helped paint a picture of the character.
Similarly, Annabel's work colleagues were depicted in detail, showing one as nice, one as vicious and venal, and one passively petty. Annabel's family were likewise described in detail, her dour and devout father, her long-suffering mother, her awkwardly shallow and selfish sister. Even the man she falls for was given strengths and weaknesses, and a back story to explain him.
Annabel herself though was a bit of a blank page for much of the story. This was by design obviously since she was very shy and retiring and devoid of self-confidence, her growing out of those traits one of the major arcs in the story. Nevertheless, having such a passive protagonist for half the book or more meant that I didn't feel drawn into the story.
The excellent introduction by Elizabeth Crawford mentioned that Streatfield never promoted or pushed her links to the Scarlett novels, and on the strength of the rather neutral impression left by this one, that decision is understandable.
doramac's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
matamgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I do like Noel Streatfeild but I get the feeling that she recycles the same characters or at least types of characters in every book she wrote. In some cases this works better than in others. This was an interesting look at the fashion industry in the 1920s and it was good light fluffy reading so I really can't complain.
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