Reviews

What a hidden gem! I picked this up simply because of the title, and now it's one of my absolute favorites! I loved the dark and sinister examination of nature in the English countryside. The Willoweeds were such an interesting family with an interesting dynamic.

in_my_dinosaur_phase_'s review against another edition

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dark funny slow-paced

3.75

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

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What a strange, dark and sinister story! My first Comyns and she writes like a dream. I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere, and the strange characters and how we move between their thoughts and the action. Rich and visual with a fresh, contemporary feel.

There was a weird 'timestamp' in the beginning that totally through me off for the vast majority of the story: says it takes place about seventy years ago..' in Warwickshire and since the book was published in 1954, my brain was primed to date it in the 1880s. But then a character writes a letter and dates it 1911... so... what? And the 'seventy years ago' disclaimer doesn't work for my edition either. So.... shrug. Not sure what the context is for the sentence. But as far as nitpicks go, it's a small one.

subspacetachyon's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

blundershelf's review against another edition

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4.0

Definitely, absolutely a tragicomic. Simultaneously funny and grave and unendingly entertaining. A bit like if Olga Tokarczuk was English.

dhgwilliam's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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