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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
What carried me through this novel was the nicely done reconstruction of Edwardian settings and interactions, any British historical background or bourgeois milieu from the XIX and XX centuries being a guilty pleasure of mine; pretty much like looking at a dolls' house as an adult, but with a story to go with the tiny furniture and characters.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!
This said, the focus of the story - what horrors men can make women endure, nearly without noticing any of the consequences but their own feelings, motives and needs - was a bit askew in its realisation. The point was obvious since the start, and well done for the ever so subtle insight into the creeping, silent expectation that an abused daughter needs justification for not wanting to address, forgive or see her father again; however, when it came to the disfunctional Englands, the narration fell short of conveying the effects of gaslighting on people around the victim. I never really believed the "good husband" deception, it all felt quite contrived when it came to the main plot - a nursery maid moving to an isolated wealthy family mansion and being drawn into the abusive household's secrets. The female characters, the nurse and the lady, felt real and likeable, but I could tell the big reveal since the start, and the psychological tricks and manipulations on the part of the husband never looked realistic to me.
All in all, there were a couple of powerful statements here and there, such as when Ruby, the protagonist, refuses to see her father just because she doesn't want to, without yielding to the temtation to justify herself further after all hhe had put her through; and I could feel her back straightening as if it were mine. But the writjng is discontinuous in defining characters and motivations, and this pulls the whole novel down from memorable feminist literature to mere entertainment.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!
This said, the focus of the story - what horrors men can make women endure, nearly without noticing any of the consequences but their own feelings, motives and needs - was a bit askew in its realisation. The point was obvious since the start, and well done for the ever so subtle insight into the creeping, silent expectation that an abused daughter needs justification for not wanting to address, forgive or see her father again; however, when it came to the disfunctional Englands, the narration fell short of conveying the effects of gaslighting on people around the victim. I never really believed the "good husband" deception, it all felt quite contrived when it came to the main plot - a nursery maid moving to an isolated wealthy family mansion and being drawn into the abusive household's secrets. The female characters, the nurse and the lady, felt real and likeable, but I could tell the big reveal since the start, and the psychological tricks and manipulations on the part of the husband never looked realistic to me.
All in all, there were a couple of powerful statements here and there, such as when Ruby, the protagonist, refuses to see her father just because she doesn't want to, without yielding to the temtation to justify herself further after all hhe had put her through; and I could feel her back straightening as if it were mine. But the writjng is discontinuous in defining characters and motivations, and this pulls the whole novel down from memorable feminist literature to mere entertainment.
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
medium-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
After reading Stacey Halls previous books, I expected more from this one. Although beautifully written as always, it seemed to lack truth for the period it was set. It kept me wondering if I had the correct period for it in my head. I never felt like I got to know the characters properly, with the story coming to life in the later parts. It felt like it could have done with being a 100 pages longer.
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No