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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
Great book, very cinematic in its descriptions. Should be made into a film!
A.K.A. My Last Duchess (In the UK)
A.K.A. My Last Duchess (In the UK)
diverting enough, with some historical detail, but not dazzling.
This book was lighter than expected, not bad, but not the deeper historical fiction that it suggested it was. Plus, the lead male character was written like he was mysterious, but he really wasnt. He was rather flat.
Ugh. Another one where the first 3/4 of the book is build up with the climax at the end, but no real resolution.
Basically nothing was resolved and the leading lady fizzled out.
A DISAPPOINTING READ.
Basically nothing was resolved and the leading lady fizzled out.
A DISAPPOINTING READ.
I picked this up after a visit to the local library to get my library card (I felt guilty for leaving empty-handed). I liked Downton Abbey, so I thought I'd enjoy this.
Good: It was a quick read that was at least entertaining enough to finish. It didn't cost me anything (thanks library!) If you're interested in 19th century society, you'll enjoy a lot of it.
Bad: The plot is rushed in many places, and spends far too long describing clothing. The characters are mostly unlikeable, unrealistic, and undeveloped. Saw the plot "twist" coming a mile a way. Borrowed so heavily from Downton Abbey that it felt distasteful.
I wanted more from the characters, and the plot. The writing wasn't bad, but the plot was certainly lacking.
Good: It was a quick read that was at least entertaining enough to finish. It didn't cost me anything (thanks library!) If you're interested in 19th century society, you'll enjoy a lot of it.
Bad: The plot is rushed in many places, and spends far too long describing clothing. The characters are mostly unlikeable, unrealistic, and undeveloped. Saw the plot "twist" coming a mile a way. Borrowed so heavily from Downton Abbey that it felt distasteful.
I wanted more from the characters, and the plot. The writing wasn't bad, but the plot was certainly lacking.
It started off slowly but the writing was very smooth. It's not a energetic or dynamic book, but it does grab emotions. It was a relaxing read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters.
My review is from an ARC. I found this book difficult to review as the first half pales in comparison to the second. It took me a long time to get into this book and I’d argue I never really was “into” it until the last 50 pages or so. While I understand the authors need to write in the tone of the era, at times it felt like she was trying too hard to sound authentic. I’ll never forget when she used the phrase “husband my smiles…” perhaps I have not read enough books that take place in the gilded age but it just seemed to be unnecessary at times. I also think the book could have been about 50-100 pages shorter.
That being said the book did surprise me and if you can get through the first 150 or so pages it becomes much more enjoyable!
That being said the book did surprise me and if you can get through the first 150 or so pages it becomes much more enjoyable!
Downtown Abbey + Upstairs,Downstairs + Wuthering Heights + TMZ gossip = awesome brilliance, right?
Um, unfortunately, no.
Yes, this book was entertaining. Yes, it was hella readable. Yes, it had a wonderful charm about it that only can be produced when talking about the gilded age and the affluence and societal politics of that era.
Perhaps my expectations were too high coming into it, with so many people saying that it was on caliber with Jane Austen and Daphne Du Maurier. Hardly. Maybe a little more Danielle Steele meets One Life to Live meets Fawlty Towers.
I understand the on-the-plane-or-on-the-beach appeal, but beyond that, it was just an author trying to pass off her debut novel as a throwback to Edith Wharton and Henry James. No, seriously, in her author's interview, she actually compared herself to Ms. Wharton and Mr. James. Apparently the characters in this book and the subsequent plotline weren't the only things that lacked a good dose of development and reality.
To summarize: Lots of hype and lofty literary comparisons, but minimal actual substance.
All that griping aside, if you ARE stuck on a plane, this is a quick enough read that is fun to get lost in for a few hours. But beyond that, don't invest your time.
Um, unfortunately, no.
Yes, this book was entertaining. Yes, it was hella readable. Yes, it had a wonderful charm about it that only can be produced when talking about the gilded age and the affluence and societal politics of that era.
Perhaps my expectations were too high coming into it, with so many people saying that it was on caliber with Jane Austen and Daphne Du Maurier. Hardly. Maybe a little more Danielle Steele meets One Life to Live meets Fawlty Towers.
I understand the on-the-plane-or-on-the-beach appeal, but beyond that, it was just an author trying to pass off her debut novel as a throwback to Edith Wharton and Henry James. No, seriously, in her author's interview, she actually compared herself to Ms. Wharton and Mr. James. Apparently the characters in this book and the subsequent plotline weren't the only things that lacked a good dose of development and reality.
To summarize: Lots of hype and lofty literary comparisons, but minimal actual substance.
All that griping aside, if you ARE stuck on a plane, this is a quick enough read that is fun to get lost in for a few hours. But beyond that, don't invest your time.
A pleasant book to listen to, but thinking back about the story I'm kind of stumped on what happened to fill up 11 hours of listening time. There's not much heft to this story of a wealthy American girl who relocates to England in order to marry a duke and earn herself a title.
A daughter of a rich man heads to Europe to find a suitable husband with a title. She discovers that Europe high society does not operate the same as the US. She struggles to fit in, understand her husband, or understand teh social mores. Book is a little dramatic and a bit of a long read to get to the end. The ending is unsatisfactory.