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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
While I enjoyed reading this novel, there were a couple of elements to the narrative that left me wanting.
I loved the time period, which was very well written; descriptively Perry manages a really accurate and reverent depiction of the late Victorian era. However, the character arc of pretty much every character in the novel, -and there are quite a few- was pretty bleak. The reader is barely allowed a glimpse behind the curtain of the humanity of each character; all of them ending up to be under-developed and lacking a sort of visceral humanity.
Also, I think with the premise of this novel, an opportunity to explore and delve deeper into the fascinating and shifting balance between the developing sciences and the evolving spirituality of the era, was sorely missed. The story seems to be caught in the middle between a vaguely fantastical novel with a cryptozoological theme, and a treatise on the social reform and burgeoning medical/scientific field...but it doesn't clearly or cleanly fall into either category. Something I think most readers would really respond to, in either direction.
In general, a decent read, but one that ultimately needed a more committed sense of direction from the author, and characters that had been given more time and energy to develop.
While I enjoyed reading this novel, there were a couple of elements to the narrative that left me wanting.
I loved the time period, which was very well written; descriptively Perry manages a really accurate and reverent depiction of the late Victorian era. However, the character arc of pretty much every character in the novel, -and there are quite a few- was pretty bleak. The reader is barely allowed a glimpse behind the curtain of the humanity of each character; all of them ending up to be under-developed and lacking a sort of visceral humanity.
Also, I think with the premise of this novel, an opportunity to explore and delve deeper into the fascinating and shifting balance between the developing sciences and the evolving spirituality of the era, was sorely missed. The story seems to be caught in the middle between a vaguely fantastical novel with a cryptozoological theme, and a treatise on the social reform and burgeoning medical/scientific field...but it doesn't clearly or cleanly fall into either category. Something I think most readers would really respond to, in either direction.
In general, a decent read, but one that ultimately needed a more committed sense of direction from the author, and characters that had been given more time and energy to develop.
Frankly, I chose to read this book for its sumptuous cover! And, I also freely admit that the languid narrative pace with many words-word-words and next to no action, (dissed by many other reviewers), was exactly my style! As I became absorbed in 1893 Victorian England, I kept thinking to myself, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." How sad is it, that more than a quasquicentennial later, we are still struggling with the same inequalities? Why has the human condition not evolved? As the result, I found the open-ended conclusion very apropos....and so it goes on!
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story pulled me in the longer i read it. I loved the historical and gothic elements of the book.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The writing in this is absolutely beautiful. There's some interesting themes, the religion vs science aspect, the friendship vs love and the way the relationships in this book so often slide from one to the other without boundaries, and the typical Victorian themes of class and gender. I personally didn't feel enough attachment to the characters or a deep enough exploration for the extra stars (and would have enjoyed more Serpent hunting or naturalism), but I did enjoy the experience.
I'm honestly not sure what my final thoughts are on this book. On the one hand, it's a book that is very well written, even though outside my typical book genre.
On the other hand, (and more importantly,) I find the repeated use of the phrase "Chinese whispers" to be both highly offensive (given the origins of the phrase) and normalizing harmful phrases.
The phrase didn't have to be used in any of the instances it was, and I highly dislike when newer books still normalize this type of language rooted in racism.
On the other hand, (and more importantly,) I find the repeated use of the phrase "Chinese whispers" to be both highly offensive (given the origins of the phrase) and normalizing harmful phrases.
The phrase didn't have to be used in any of the instances it was, and I highly dislike when newer books still normalize this type of language rooted in racism.
Is promising but I don’t have the mental headspace for it. I’ll put this in the “not right now” category
Lovely prose. Dull plot. Slow burning social thing. Not my tepid cup of tea.