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reillywilmit's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emilyjbierei's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kimberlyds's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
gasrat's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lear2696's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review
4.0
Intriguing family story.
This caught my eye as a Booker shortlisted title, having never heard of the author or short book. At just over 100 pages, it's slight, but quite full of Miss Havisham-esque and Forsyte Saga-reminiscent characters, eras and relationships.
A teenage girl is forced to spend a period with her great grandmother near Brighton, and from this sparks an interest in her family history, which contains some very dark and depressing episodes and individuals, from out of another time. Where properness and duty trump all else.
This is their story, told through their young relation and by those she speaks to.
While this doesn't have conclusions, or even much in the way of a plot, it builds a picture of a family history and a world now gone.
Rather sad, but a diverting short read.
This caught my eye as a Booker shortlisted title, having never heard of the author or short book. At just over 100 pages, it's slight, but quite full of Miss Havisham-esque and Forsyte Saga-reminiscent characters, eras and relationships.
A teenage girl is forced to spend a period with her great grandmother near Brighton, and from this sparks an interest in her family history, which contains some very dark and depressing episodes and individuals, from out of another time. Where properness and duty trump all else.
This is their story, told through their young relation and by those she speaks to.
While this doesn't have conclusions, or even much in the way of a plot, it builds a picture of a family history and a world now gone.
Rather sad, but a diverting short read.
holk's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
emorm's review
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0