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julied's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I really enjoyed spending time in Florence with these characters. There were a few things with the writing I wish were not there but generally I really loved this story. I give a book five stars if it is something I want to keep forever, a book I can see myself rereading one day. This was definitely a group of people I will revisit. I laughed. I cried. I learned a few things. If someone were to ask me if they should read this I would tell them all of that but warn them that there is an open door scene between two people who are fairly young teens. I don't usually mind an open door or two if it adds something to the story and the participants are adults. I can see where someone might not enjoy some of the fantastical elements. I actually did which is not typical of my taste. They are few and far between and the silly helped break up the sad a little. I found this story really sweet and it helped me appreciate my own still life more than I otherwise would have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Death, War, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
mandkips's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Murder
asourceoffiction's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This is a book about the passing of time, and the connections we make and lose along the way. But it's so brilliantly wistful and so utterly brimming with beauty, that it just pulls you in and holds onto you.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
ye_li's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
ajone540's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
erin819's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and War
my_plant_library's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape, War, and Homophobia
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don't quite get why everyone loves this book so much.
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Rape, Ableism, Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Murder, Homophobia, and Death of parent
epellicci's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
4.0
I wasn't sure I would like Still Life when I began the book. Set in post World War Two Italy and London, it was slow paced. A story that ambled through the life of a soldier finding his feet when he returned to the world of being a civilian. However with a little perseverance, Still Life is so much more than the mundane traipse I had expected. It is a book about life, and love and heart. With breathtakingly beautiful writing and moments that are oh so tender, it made me laugh out loud as well as cry. The characters are so spirited. They jump from the pages, and they will stay with you. Still Life is full of the lived experiences of people, and the bonds that we carry through life. Captivating and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
balfies's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
This was an utterly beautiful sweeping novel celebrating people and art and hope and time.
In conversation with the art of Florence and my favourite piece of art about Florence - E. M. Forster's A Room With A View - and featuring a multitude of queer relationships and steady friendships and a formidable woman in the Monuments Men (which I hasten to remind you, dear reader, my great uncle was also in) and artists and musicians...
It was just a sumptuous, delicious read.
In conversation with the art of Florence and my favourite piece of art about Florence - E. M. Forster's A Room With A View - and featuring a multitude of queer relationships and steady friendships and a formidable woman in the Monuments Men (which I hasten to remind you, dear reader, my great uncle was also in) and artists and musicians...
It was just a sumptuous, delicious read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, War, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Murder, Infidelity, Grief, Excrement, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol
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