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aimeefow's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook whilst driving to and from work and found it an easy listen. The narrator was Scottish which I think was a nice touch!
The story for me was a 1/5 I have to say, it was boring, nothing happened, even the event that there is escalation too wasn't enough to salvage it for me.
However the reason I have scored it 3/5 was for the style of writing, there were so many funny and accurate observations about life, like the mother not sure what to do with her spare hour and when she writes about how no one will love you and need you as intensely as your small children will so savour it (she describes it all more eloquently than myself!). I can imagine this author being good at poetry.
The story for me was a 1/5 I have to say, it was boring, nothing happened, even the event that there is escalation too wasn't enough to salvage it for me.
However the reason I have scored it 3/5 was for the style of writing, there were so many funny and accurate observations about life, like the mother not sure what to do with her spare hour and when she writes about how no one will love you and need you as intensely as your small children will so savour it (she describes it all more eloquently than myself!). I can imagine this author being good at poetry.
julia62's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ruby_mae_read's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Fire/Fire injury
tonski's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
capercaillie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Extremely beautiful, lyrical, and evocative writing.
The audio narration was superb.
The audio narration was superb.
hannah2896's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the setting being in the Scottish Highlands and the descriptions of the Loch, woodlands and wildlife. Would have had a greater impact if we knew more about the mother and daughter who were featured throughout the book. The ending was a bit of an anticlimax.
aliceviolet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
clotalksbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Very good writing, really felt like I was there with the characters. The shifting points of view made this feel like a collection of short stories. There didn't seem much to connect the stories apart from the location, the weather, and apparent loathing of being there. The stories felt like they were building to an event, and although it does to some extent it ends rather abruptly. The narrator does a good job, but I was still a bit confused who was related to who etc. think there were just a few too many characters for me. Overall it had some good moments, felt a nuanced and accurate portrayal of life, but I would like a bit more plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Fire/Fire injury
nailahreema's review against another edition
3.0
Summerwater had a very promising start but I was ultimately disappointed. Sarah Moss is clearly a very talented writer, and fantastic at building tension and suspense. Summerwater is set within a holiday park up in Scotland, on the longest day of the summer. It rains endlessly as we meet each character currently holidaying there.
I really enjoyed this style of writing. Each characters thoughts felt very genuine and what my own thought process feels like when it's just me thinking to myself. However, absolutely nothing happens in the book, until the last 10 pages or so. Although each character complains about the noise that a new family makes with their night time partying, the suspense that Moss builds fizzles out.
I thought it might be a murder mystery, or an incident which took place that the reader will see solved but literally nothing happens other than an unfortunate accident, which is never explained. It didn't feel like they left it on cliff hanger, or perhaps there was a mystery surrounding the accident. The story just ended.
Around midway ,I got really bored. It's a very short book (around 200 pages) and it didn't take me long to realise either a) nothing will happen or b) something will happen but it will be very rushed. They mystery hinted out at in the blurb is not justified.
I really enjoyed this style of writing. Each characters thoughts felt very genuine and what my own thought process feels like when it's just me thinking to myself. However, absolutely nothing happens in the book, until the last 10 pages or so. Although each character complains about the noise that a new family makes with their night time partying, the suspense that Moss builds fizzles out.
I thought it might be a murder mystery, or an incident which took place that the reader will see solved but literally nothing happens other than an unfortunate accident, which is never explained. It didn't feel like they left it on cliff hanger, or perhaps there was a mystery surrounding the accident. The story just ended.
Around midway ,I got really bored. It's a very short book (around 200 pages) and it didn't take me long to realise either a) nothing will happen or b) something will happen but it will be very rushed. They mystery hinted out at in the blurb is not justified.