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andyplants5000's review
2.0
Only just meh. It does not sparkle like previous works from Boyd like Restless or Any Human Heart.
winter94's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
louthecat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thelaurasaurus's review
3.0
All three of the main characters had interesting stories, but I struggled to engage with this book. I think I would have preferred three novels focusing on each story in much more depth.
nigeposh1960's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tomwyllie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amber_ed's review
Confusing - bouncing between characters and couldn’t/didn’t want to follow
rojaed's review
3.0
Commercial historical fiction centring on 3 people making a film in 1968. The book is uneven in tone and ranges from farce to tragedy. None of the main characters is particularly appealing. Issues discussed include homosexuality, adultery and addiction, both alcoholic and (medicinal) drugs. I remember the period and the book does not cover the atmosphere. Not a good cover, either.
snoakes7001's review
5.0
Trio is split into three sections: Duplicity, Surrender & Escape and the story concerns a trio of characters navigating phases of their lives where these themes loom large.
The action is set in Brighton in the late sixties where the improbably titled movie Emily Bracegirdle's Extremely Useful Ladder to the Moon is being filmed and our three duplicitous protagonists are all linked to this production. Elfrida Wing is married to the film's director, Reggie Tipton. She is a successful novelist but is suffering paralysing writer's block and hasn't published anything for ten years. Talbot Kydd, the producer, maintains a secret apartment his wife is totally unaware of and Anny Viklund, the film's star, is having a passionate affair with her leading man.
I'd forgotten what a great storyteller William Boyd is - the plot rattles along in a somewhat madcap fashion, the sixties setting makes for a well constructed backdrop and the characters are rounded and sympathetic even when they are working against their own self interest. As the novel progresses, events in their personal lives snowball until they each reach a point where only drastic action will end their turmoil.
The action is set in Brighton in the late sixties where the improbably titled movie Emily Bracegirdle's Extremely Useful Ladder to the Moon is being filmed and our three duplicitous protagonists are all linked to this production. Elfrida Wing is married to the film's director, Reggie Tipton. She is a successful novelist but is suffering paralysing writer's block and hasn't published anything for ten years. Talbot Kydd, the producer, maintains a secret apartment his wife is totally unaware of and Anny Viklund, the film's star, is having a passionate affair with her leading man.
I'd forgotten what a great storyteller William Boyd is - the plot rattles along in a somewhat madcap fashion, the sixties setting makes for a well constructed backdrop and the characters are rounded and sympathetic even when they are working against their own self interest. As the novel progresses, events in their personal lives snowball until they each reach a point where only drastic action will end their turmoil.
codercaitlin's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.5