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an_enthusiastic_reader's review against another edition
4.0
3/5/2017: I'm not far into this yet, but already I can say the writing is excellent, full of period details, imagination, and strong characters (of which there are many, but the helpful character list at the beginning allows for quick checks.) I think more people should read this. Underrated and under-read.
kittyw's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this book in 2015 and adored it, and I was delighted when my book club selected it to read last month. Rereading it reminded me of what is so fabulous about this book, and I think it might be edging into one of my top ten all time favorite books. (!)
As with all the books I adore, I feel like I can't adequately explain why I loved it so and what about it was so compelling. In this case, it's everything -- the premise, the characters, the narrative style -- and this reread had me once again breathless in awe.
Williams recounts the late 18th century voyage of the Astrolabe and Boussole, two French frigates tasked with further global exploration, scientific inquiry, and cartographic correction. Each chapter follows a different crew member, and details the dramatic and tragic journey of the two ships.
I hesitate to say too much about what happened (don't google before reading) because much of my pleasure derived from learning about the voyage as I read. Williams beautiful articulates each character and every chapter is infused with tragic humanity; we're given hints of the fate to come, and can only watch everything unfold.
Though focused on the French sailors, Williams still includes point of view from the indigenous communities the expedition met as well as women, which I greatly appreciated. While it's obvious she has keen sympathy for the French expedition, she doesn't make light of their hubris and colonialism, nor does she exoticize the indigenous populations the expedition meets (no cafe au lait skin comparisons!).
The narrative style changes depending on the character, but even though we shift points of view, there is still rich emotional resonance in every offering. I teared up more than once -- I actually miss some of these characters! -- and I still feel breathless awe at Williams' skill in evoking emotion, place, and era so efficiently.
I first read this book at the beach in 2015, cracking up my wife and mother because I kept gasping aloud every few pages; later that year, my brother -- who has pretty divergent reading tastes -- called me to recommend this book, having loved it himself. Regardless of whether you're a fan of historical fiction or not, if you enjoy books of very human foible and weakness, hope and aspiration, consider this novel -- I think you'll find it compelling.
2015 Thoughts
Oh.My.God. I loooooooooooved this book. The ill-fated expedition of two 18th century French ships, each chapter from the viewpoint of a different crew member. Real review to come but I've got a major book hangover. A top ten read of 2015.
As with all the books I adore, I feel like I can't adequately explain why I loved it so and what about it was so compelling. In this case, it's everything -- the premise, the characters, the narrative style -- and this reread had me once again breathless in awe.
Williams recounts the late 18th century voyage of the Astrolabe and Boussole, two French frigates tasked with further global exploration, scientific inquiry, and cartographic correction. Each chapter follows a different crew member, and details the dramatic and tragic journey of the two ships.
I hesitate to say too much about what happened (don't google before reading) because much of my pleasure derived from learning about the voyage as I read. Williams beautiful articulates each character and every chapter is infused with tragic humanity; we're given hints of the fate to come, and can only watch everything unfold.
Though focused on the French sailors, Williams still includes point of view from the indigenous communities the expedition met as well as women, which I greatly appreciated. While it's obvious she has keen sympathy for the French expedition, she doesn't make light of their hubris and colonialism, nor does she exoticize the indigenous populations the expedition meets (no cafe au lait skin comparisons!).
The narrative style changes depending on the character, but even though we shift points of view, there is still rich emotional resonance in every offering. I teared up more than once -- I actually miss some of these characters! -- and I still feel breathless awe at Williams' skill in evoking emotion, place, and era so efficiently.
I first read this book at the beach in 2015, cracking up my wife and mother because I kept gasping aloud every few pages; later that year, my brother -- who has pretty divergent reading tastes -- called me to recommend this book, having loved it himself. Regardless of whether you're a fan of historical fiction or not, if you enjoy books of very human foible and weakness, hope and aspiration, consider this novel -- I think you'll find it compelling.
2015 Thoughts
Oh.My.God. I loooooooooooved this book. The ill-fated expedition of two 18th century French ships, each chapter from the viewpoint of a different crew member. Real review to come but I've got a major book hangover. A top ten read of 2015.
bent's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I had put it on hold at the library on a whim, and then was never sure if I was going to enjoy it. I finally bit the bullet and read it and thought it was really well done. I had never heard of this expedition before, but Williams did a great job bringing it to life along with the members of the expedition. A fascinating read. Highly recommended.
stellarya's review against another edition
4.0
I'm usually not drawn to books about maritime adventures, but I am so glad that I found Landfalls through the alt-Tournament of Books group here on Goodreads. :)
Landfalls is adeptly written and presents its characters with an awe-inspiring amount of depth and sensitivity. I particularly enjoyed comparing the sections written from the point-of-view of one character to other characters' thoughts about that same person.
The book caused me to spend some time thinking about fate. It's clear that none of the characters ended up where they thought they would be. Some of the more esteemed members of the voyage turned out to be minor players, and some members found themselves becoming unexpectedly, even ironically important.
Landfalls takes a very frank and unromantic look at the lives of European, colonial, and non-European women during the 18th century. This isn't something one would expect in a book about a marine expedition, and it is a very enriching addition. I think those sections of the book might be my favorite parts.
Landfalls is adeptly written and presents its characters with an awe-inspiring amount of depth and sensitivity. I particularly enjoyed comparing the sections written from the point-of-view of one character to other characters' thoughts about that same person.
The book caused me to spend some time thinking about fate. It's clear that none of the characters ended up where they thought they would be. Some of the more esteemed members of the voyage turned out to be minor players, and some members found themselves becoming unexpectedly, even ironically important.
Landfalls takes a very frank and unromantic look at the lives of European, colonial, and non-European women during the 18th century. This isn't something one would expect in a book about a marine expedition, and it is a very enriching addition. I think those sections of the book might be my favorite parts.
sidselgchr's review
4.0
This was such an interesting, beautiful and vivid story of french ships setting out to explore the world in 1785.
It worked really well with the different narrators for each chapter, seeing how diverse life was onboard a frigate in the 18th century. The diverse cast of sailors, translators, captains, botanists, artists etc. all aboard the two ships felt so real and funny and alive.
The things they see, the people they meet, the dumb bureaucracy of /civilised/ people. The self important scientists, caring more about nature than the way things are done. The much ado about nothing-ness that surrounds the higher ups, the banal formalities, courtseys and compromises and neverending flattery was truly funny.
And the language is superb. It is truly vivid, and so describing and feeling, that you can see the entire thing playing out. All the vivid brightness of the southern hemisphere, the sweating french in their wigs and heavy jackets, the natives they meet, the ocean, the intense relationships.
Truly a great read.
It worked really well with the different narrators for each chapter, seeing how diverse life was onboard a frigate in the 18th century. The diverse cast of sailors, translators, captains, botanists, artists etc. all aboard the two ships felt so real and funny and alive.
The things they see, the people they meet, the dumb bureaucracy of /civilised/ people. The self important scientists, caring more about nature than the way things are done. The much ado about nothing-ness that surrounds the higher ups, the banal formalities, courtseys and compromises and neverending flattery was truly funny.
And the language is superb. It is truly vivid, and so describing and feeling, that you can see the entire thing playing out. All the vivid brightness of the southern hemisphere, the sweating french in their wigs and heavy jackets, the natives they meet, the ocean, the intense relationships.
Truly a great read.
nmcannon's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this story was an interesting exercise in timing and circumstance for me. I knew nothing about the Lapérouse expedition going in besides that it was doomed, which kept me from wanting to connect to any of the characters. I was looking for a reason to get an Audible account and this seemed like as good as any, but the sound of so many French names and similar personalities clustered together addled my California Spanglish brain. The treatment of the natives was at times stereotypical, which normally would have only elicited a pained sigh, but I read the book during Indigenous Peoples Day. Overall, I didn't approach the book with a mindset ready for a Game of Thrones level of characters and death, and that snarled up my reading experience considerably.
I can see how this book's gotten so much attention and praise though. Williams' dizzy amount of research shines bright, and she is rigorous and thorough in deploying details. Her ruthlessness extends to characters too: she delves into each character's mind determined to unearth pearls, will them or nil them. The effect sometimes has a wandering diver feel, making me wish we be spared a particular agony in favor of furthering the plot. I also question some of the suggested universalities of humanity: do women REALLY offer themselves at every port, do ALL the men really desire women at every moment, do ALL natives, no matter what island, think white people sail on clouds and/or are gods, did LITERALLY EVERYONE actually think those brothers were charming, is EVERY naturalist all about their ego and reputation 24/7, was it REALLY the highlight of everybody's year that a bunch of French sailors showed up and asked for plant samples?
Don't get me wrong. Beautifully, lovingly written, Landfalls deserves every star and happy reviewer. Williams' use of the lens of landfalls was masterful, and I immensely enjoyed playing detective sifting through the conflicting accounts of different events. I'd keep half an eye on this author and see if anything more washes ashore.
I can see how this book's gotten so much attention and praise though. Williams' dizzy amount of research shines bright, and she is rigorous and thorough in deploying details. Her ruthlessness extends to characters too: she delves into each character's mind determined to unearth pearls, will them or nil them. The effect sometimes has a wandering diver feel, making me wish we be spared a particular agony in favor of furthering the plot. I also question some of the suggested universalities of humanity: do women REALLY offer themselves at every port, do ALL the men really desire women at every moment, do ALL natives, no matter what island, think white people sail on clouds and/or are gods, did LITERALLY EVERYONE actually think those brothers were charming, is EVERY naturalist all about their ego and reputation 24/7, was it REALLY the highlight of everybody's year that a bunch of French sailors showed up and asked for plant samples?
Don't get me wrong. Beautifully, lovingly written, Landfalls deserves every star and happy reviewer. Williams' use of the lens of landfalls was masterful, and I immensely enjoyed playing detective sifting through the conflicting accounts of different events. I'd keep half an eye on this author and see if anything more washes ashore.
flogigyahoo's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book! Naomi Williams in her first novel manages to tell the story of a French exploratory expedition leaving France in 1785 consisting of 2 ships one captained by the Count de Laperouse and the other by Viscount de Langley. During each step of the preparations we enter the minds of the various participants in this endeavor: the two captains, the engineers, the navigators, the botanists. We then have the landfalls: Concepción, Alaska, California, and on and on to Botany Bay. Williams' writing is flawless, wise, tender, exciting. She describes a world long gone so vividly it reappears before one's eyes. I savored every page, making sure this nearly 400 page marvel would last and last and last. Not an easy read but profound and touching.
monasterymonochrome's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book a couple months ago through a First Reads giveaway.
Historical fiction is admittedly pretty hit or miss for me, as it can be difficult for the stories or characters to entirely click, but when it hits, it really hits. This book fell somewhere in the mid-range of historical fiction I've read. I was never able to totally immerse myself in it, but it was certainly well-researched, well-written (apart from the few hiccups that are to be expected from first novels), and remained compelling enough to see it through to the end. For me, I think the structure and the points of view chosen were what dulled its appeal slightly. While I found the voyage itself and several of the characters to be incredibly fascinating, the shifting perspectives meant that I never felt as fully invested as I wanted to, and characters who had once been the focus soon became no more than occasional background names. I also thought that there could have been a better diversity of perspectives, which is what I expected from the dust jacket blurb; as it was, most of the POVs from the men on the ship seemed nearly interchangeable and there weren't enough outsider perspectives to entirely overcome this flaw. Actually, now that I think about it, my favorite chapter was probably the one about Lesseps' trek through Russia, "Dispatches," which had the least connection with the actual ship. Honestly, a whole book could have been made from that alone.
Ultimately, I think this was a case of trying to do a bit too much in a relatively short (just over 300 pages) book. The episodes felt far too brief, and wonderfully compelling characters were often cast aside for others and barely heard from again. It probably could have benefited from more focus; either that or it needed a couple hundred more pages in order to sufficiently flesh out the story and characters. Regardless, I certainly didn't feel like I wasted my time reading it, and I would recommend it to people with a particular interest in historical fiction or sea-faring fiction, who would probably get more out of it than I did.
Historical fiction is admittedly pretty hit or miss for me, as it can be difficult for the stories or characters to entirely click, but when it hits, it really hits. This book fell somewhere in the mid-range of historical fiction I've read. I was never able to totally immerse myself in it, but it was certainly well-researched, well-written (apart from the few hiccups that are to be expected from first novels), and remained compelling enough to see it through to the end. For me, I think the structure and the points of view chosen were what dulled its appeal slightly. While I found the voyage itself and several of the characters to be incredibly fascinating, the shifting perspectives meant that I never felt as fully invested as I wanted to, and characters who had once been the focus soon became no more than occasional background names. I also thought that there could have been a better diversity of perspectives, which is what I expected from the dust jacket blurb; as it was, most of the POVs from the men on the ship seemed nearly interchangeable and there weren't enough outsider perspectives to entirely overcome this flaw. Actually, now that I think about it, my favorite chapter was probably the one about Lesseps' trek through Russia, "Dispatches," which had the least connection with the actual ship. Honestly, a whole book could have been made from that alone.
Ultimately, I think this was a case of trying to do a bit too much in a relatively short (just over 300 pages) book. The episodes felt far too brief, and wonderfully compelling characters were often cast aside for others and barely heard from again. It probably could have benefited from more focus; either that or it needed a couple hundred more pages in order to sufficiently flesh out the story and characters. Regardless, I certainly didn't feel like I wasted my time reading it, and I would recommend it to people with a particular interest in historical fiction or sea-faring fiction, who would probably get more out of it than I did.