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threesweetbrownies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
gracenstyles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
billyleest's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read two other works of Strange and i loved this one almost as much as the other two. It is her debut novel and it feels like one to, but it was amazing, heartbreaking and I can’t recommend her work enough!
bergenslabben's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
narrpip's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pph_library_bookclub's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone in the book club finished and enjoyed this book.
This was just basically one big nostalgia fest for all of us. It reminded us a lot of books like The Railway Children that we read when we were younger and reminded us to read more books like this just to make us happy. It was a very traditional and classic tale in the way it's told and the subject matter where we are following the children because the adults have left them alone. We liked the traditional roles of goodies and baddies being used in this book, it's nice for things to just be clear every once in a while.
Having said that it was a child like book we also found that it was fairly dark and gothic in nature as well. But then a lot of fairy-tales and childrens books can have those elements. We found the things done to the mother particularly creepy and worrying, those doctors were just so disturbing!
We had a discussion about postnatal depression and grief during this meeting as we felt it fitted well with the adults in the book. We also discussed about how the treatment of mental health issues has changed so much over the years.
Overall we gave this book 8 out of 10.
This was just basically one big nostalgia fest for all of us. It reminded us a lot of books like The Railway Children that we read when we were younger and reminded us to read more books like this just to make us happy. It was a very traditional and classic tale in the way it's told and the subject matter where we are following the children because the adults have left them alone. We liked the traditional roles of goodies and baddies being used in this book, it's nice for things to just be clear every once in a while.
Having said that it was a child like book we also found that it was fairly dark and gothic in nature as well. But then a lot of fairy-tales and childrens books can have those elements. We found the things done to the mother particularly creepy and worrying, those doctors were just so disturbing!
We had a discussion about postnatal depression and grief during this meeting as we felt it fitted well with the adults in the book. We also discussed about how the treatment of mental health issues has changed so much over the years.
Overall we gave this book 8 out of 10.
ashleysas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
e_d_ivey's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my, what an enchanting story that completely swept me away. Lucy Strange is a master of characterization—I found myself cheering on the grit and determination of Henry, sympathizing with the complexity of Nanny Jane, and hurling insults at the pompous Mr. and Mrs. Hardy (think: Mr. and Mrs. Elton of Jane Austen's Emma).
With its many references to the likes of Lewis Carroll and Hans Christian Andersen, The Secret of Nightingale Wood is an ode to a fairy tale even as it spins its own fairy tale-like story that's full of grief, perseverance, and unwavering love.
CW: child loss; mistreatment of mental illness.
With its many references to the likes of Lewis Carroll and Hans Christian Andersen, The Secret of Nightingale Wood is an ode to a fairy tale even as it spins its own fairy tale-like story that's full of grief, perseverance, and unwavering love.
CW: child loss; mistreatment of mental illness.