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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
I wanted to like this book more than I did, and I can't quite put my finger on why it was just an average book. I think I went in with high expectations (having absolutely adored Daisy Goodwin's Victoria). It took too long to get to the meat of what was going on with Ivo; and the character development for Cora felt painfully slow. My favorite character was Bertha - her perspective felt fresh and real; she grapples with what her skin tone means in both the US and the UK and we see the reality of both worlds, both with their positives and both with their negatives. She also grapples with the loyalty that she feels to Cora, even though she knows that Cora does not return her loyalty in an equal and fair way. Many of the secondary characters were fascinating, so a great deal of thought went into character development.
The author did a good job presenting the complexities of marriage and relationships. All the characters struggle with their past selves and actions in ways that are real, none of it felt fabricated or forced. I would have liked to see the perspective from inside Ivo's mind. More flashbacks into Ivo's past and the interaction between him and other characters would have heightened up the suspense surrounding his odd antics.
The author did a good job presenting the complexities of marriage and relationships. All the characters struggle with their past selves and actions in ways that are real, none of it felt fabricated or forced. I would have liked to see the perspective from inside Ivo's mind. More flashbacks into Ivo's past and the interaction between him and other characters would have heightened up the suspense surrounding his odd antics.
If you love Downton Abbey, this is the book for you! I loved Cora's character and how she develops throughout the story.
It’s been a while since I had a book that made me want to keep reading. I wouldn’t necessarily call this historical fiction, maybe period fiction? Nothing too deep or heavy, gave me subtle Gone With The Wind vibes, but in an easily digestible format. Overall just a solid, easy book.
When I first began reading this book, I was intrigued to learn more about Cora Cash, and the difference that she would make being an American heiress in a British household. As I began reading on, I realized that Cora was different from the other individuals whom have descended on high-society in the United Kingdom. I truly felt for Cora as she tried to weave her way with Ivo, the Double Duchess, and others in power, whom were unkind to her from the start. Although there were a few instances in which I felt that Cora didn't deserve her position, I was mostly ecstatic to read of her adventures, and the ways in which she became a force to be reckoned with when she put her mind to something. I loved the character of Teddy, and was secretly rooting for him to become an integral part of Cora's life, as I felt that Teddy was a much better fit for her then Ivo. There were certain parts of British life that I enjoyed learning about however, felt that much of it was drawn-out a tad, with the book being overrun with details which were unimportant to the plotline. I loved hearing about the Prince of Wales, and how he was an intriguing character at all parties he attended. Overall, this was an excellent novel on how different cultures intermingle with one another, and the beauty that each of them bring out in one another.
The story itself may have had potential but the vacuous Cora and the host of other unlikeable characters (with the one exception of Teddy) ruined this for me.
Firstly, as above, the characters were terrible. Cora was petulant and spoiled; what made her especially hard to take was that she didn’t show any maturity or growth as the book concluded. We went all that way for nothing.
The stereotypes were silly: Americans were shallow, arrogant and brash and English were nasty, conniving, and manipulative.
Another upset was people addressing each other as “Duke” or “Duchess”.... did the author do any research at all? Don’t get me started on Cora whinging about the Butler because he was upset she asked him to build the fire! Like FFS that’s the job of a scullery maid! It’s beneath the Butler’s dignity to be asked to do this and she’s a total cow for making such an egregious error and then blaming him for it!
I felt like if I’d been required to take a shot every single time they mentioned the word ‘American(s)’ I would have died of alcohol poisoning somewhere in the first one third of the book. It was overdone to the point of annoying. They’re American, we get it.
For a long book, nothing really happens. There is a lot of filler and what does happen is fairly predictable. The ending was flat and the book rather just fizzled out. It was a cop-out ending for Cora and Bertha and really disappointing. I think Teddy dodged a bullet though and I hope he finds happiness away from these horrible people.
Firstly, as above, the characters were terrible. Cora was petulant and spoiled; what made her especially hard to take was that she didn’t show any maturity or growth as the book concluded. We went all that way for nothing.
The stereotypes were silly: Americans were shallow, arrogant and brash and English were nasty, conniving, and manipulative.
Another upset was people addressing each other as “Duke” or “Duchess”.... did the author do any research at all? Don’t get me started on Cora whinging about the Butler because he was upset she asked him to build the fire! Like FFS that’s the job of a scullery maid! It’s beneath the Butler’s dignity to be asked to do this and she’s a total cow for making such an egregious error and then blaming him for it!
I felt like if I’d been required to take a shot every single time they mentioned the word ‘American(s)’ I would have died of alcohol poisoning somewhere in the first one third of the book. It was overdone to the point of annoying. They’re American, we get it.
For a long book, nothing really happens. There is a lot of filler and what does happen is fairly predictable. The ending was flat and the book rather just fizzled out. It was a cop-out ending for Cora and Bertha and really disappointing. I think Teddy dodged a bullet though and I hope he finds happiness away from these horrible people.
I liked this rather a lot - sort of a slightly soapy Downton Abbey prequel with a touch of Gothic feeling (though her husband never actually tried to kill her.....). Cora does a lot of obviously dumb things, and her husband goes hot and cold at the drop of a hat, and some of the big “secret” was super- obvious. But it was still kinda fun!
I really enjoy Daisy Goodwin's books. This book had a cliffhanger ending. I almost feel like it was rushed to conclude it. However, it was a great book regardless.
emotional
reflective
medium-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
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes