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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Told from the point of view of Griet, the writing somehow flows beautifully despite her limited world view and lack of self-confidence. You are absolutely seeing the world through her eyes; the actions of certain characters and the reasons for them remain shrouded in mystery, with your only insight being Griet's thoughts about them. The undertones of jealousy on the part of Catherina and Cornelia are strong, but there's no real hard and fast reasoning for it, especial on Cornelia's part. To me, she just comes across as a bit of a sociopath!
Likewise, you experience Griet's feelings incredibly deeply, even though she cannot always clearly explain or name them, even to herself. I wouldn't say it's a comfortable read; there are so many moments within the story that have potentially dark undertones, and the various characters' treatment of Griet is questionable at best. Even throughout the development of Griet's working relationship with Vermeer, the writing gives a sense that something is just 'off' about the whole thing. It's cleverly framed around a sense of infatuation from Griet's part, but at the same time Vermeer's actions aren't painted as being 'rose-tinted' by that infatuation. Instead, there are moments that suggest something more sinister on his part, even though they could have a perfectly innocent explanation. I was expecting it to be a case of when he did something to her, rather than if.
The story itself is quite pedestrian - there are no real sudden shocks or gripping action sequences, and yet it keeps you reading with very little effort. It also keeps you guessing throughout; there are several examples of moments where you clearly expect something to happen but the author takes the road less travelled instead. The ending is quite satisfying, but there are several threads left loose, which I would have liked more exploration of.
While this is never going to make a list of my favourite books and I doubt I would read it again, I don't regret spending the time on it. It may not be my style, but I can appreciate that it's a very well written piece and absolutely deserving of praise.
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, and Religious bigotry
grace_cr1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Blood, Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death, and Sexual harassment
mme_carton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Grief, Body horror, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Excrement, Violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
verysillygoose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content
a_w_kilgore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy and Bullying
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
risemini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Ableism, and Stalking
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
sandy_21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
kamryn_grace_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry