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fiona_callinan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
fuchsia_groan's review against another edition
2.0
En mi edición Faber cuenta que tras la publicación de Pétalo carmesí, flor blanca, no dejaba de recibir cartas de lectores frustrados con su final, o "nofinal", y gente que imploraba uno. Me parece curiosa esa avalancha de peticiones y esa decepción colectiva. Es un final más o menos abierto, como tantos, y algo que a mí en general no me disgusta, mucho menos en una novela como esta, que cuenta vidas más que hechos, ¿cuándo terminarla?
De todas formas, me quedé enganchada a los personajes y sabiendo que había más historias sobre ellos, tenía que leer este. En general y sin ser un mal libro, me ha decepcionado, no aporta nada, ¿escrito un poco por obligación, por compromiso?
De todas formas, me quedé enganchada a los personajes y sabiendo que había más historias sobre ellos, tenía que leer este. En general y sin ser un mal libro, me ha decepcionado, no aporta nada, ¿escrito un poco por obligación, por compromiso?
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful collection of seven short stories from the world of The Crimson Petal and the White. I had loved that novel so, that when I found out there were more glimpses into the Crimson Petal world, I just had to get it.
The stories here are nothing spectacular and they don't reveal anything major about the characters. With the way the original novel ended, I'm sure people thought these stories would be a nice little wrap-up, as it were. They are not. They are, however, a sort of revisit of old friends and being introduced to a few new ones.
Some of the stories take place before The Crimson Petal and the White and some take place after. Some a short time before, some a long time before; some a short time after, some a long time after.
You get to drop in on the main characters of Sugar and William Rackman and others such as Clara, Mr. Bodley and Emmeline Fox.
Overall, a satisfying collection of stories that would be entertaining to anyone who loved the original novel and know that they're not going to find anything too revealing here.
The stories here are nothing spectacular and they don't reveal anything major about the characters. With the way the original novel ended, I'm sure people thought these stories would be a nice little wrap-up, as it were. They are not. They are, however, a sort of revisit of old friends and being introduced to a few new ones.
Some of the stories take place before The Crimson Petal and the White and some take place after. Some a short time before, some a long time before; some a short time after, some a long time after.
You get to drop in on the main characters of Sugar and William Rackman and others such as Clara, Mr. Bodley and Emmeline Fox.
Overall, a satisfying collection of stories that would be entertaining to anyone who loved the original novel and know that they're not going to find anything too revealing here.
willowfae's review against another edition
5.0
"I do understand how maddening it is to only get so far, and not know what happened next. I wouldn't do that to you!"
So writes a character in one of the short stories that add to the reader's understanding of Michel Faber's earlier book, "The Crimson Petal and the White".
Well, yes, Mr Faber. It IS maddening. I don't know a single person who felt satisfied when they reached the end of "Crimson Petal". We all want to know what happened next. What REALLY happened to Agnes? Where did Sugar and Sophie go?
So, does this book give you the answers? Not really. You certainly get a further glimpse into Faber's Victorian world. Two stories take place before "The Crimson Petal" and four take place afterwards. It is the final one, "A Mighty Horde of Women in Very Big Hats, Advancing" that held the most interest for me as it did give you some idea of the fate of our heroine and her little charge (well, stolen charge!). I would love to see this turned into a full length novel.
Did I get all of the answers I wanted? No. I was warned by friends that I wouldn't. But it helped.
I also enjoyed the Forward in this edition which contained snippets of letters written by fans expressing their desire to know more. Helped to let me know I wasn't alone!
So writes a character in one of the short stories that add to the reader's understanding of Michel Faber's earlier book, "The Crimson Petal and the White".
Well, yes, Mr Faber. It IS maddening. I don't know a single person who felt satisfied when they reached the end of "Crimson Petal". We all want to know what happened next. What REALLY happened to Agnes? Where did Sugar and Sophie go?
So, does this book give you the answers? Not really. You certainly get a further glimpse into Faber's Victorian world. Two stories take place before "The Crimson Petal" and four take place afterwards. It is the final one, "A Mighty Horde of Women in Very Big Hats, Advancing" that held the most interest for me as it did give you some idea of the fate of our heroine and her little charge (well, stolen charge!). I would love to see this turned into a full length novel.
Did I get all of the answers I wanted? No. I was warned by friends that I wouldn't. But it helped.
I also enjoyed the Forward in this edition which contained snippets of letters written by fans expressing their desire to know more. Helped to let me know I wasn't alone!
fairybookmother's review against another edition
2.0
Glad I read it, but don't think it offered much to that sense of completion I was hoping for.
damc's review against another edition
4.0
snug, quick, engaging, but inconclusive sketches picking up threads from the crimson petal and the white. rife with scandalous, lurid details and a strong sense of social conscience.
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-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? No
4.0
ladybirder's review against another edition
5.0
If you have read the Crismon Petal and the White, I highy reccomend this book. It is a collection of short stories about a few of the characters from Crimson Petal, some act as a prequel, some a sequel.
The foreword by Michael faber is interesting, so don't skip it, he includes a few letters from readers about their approval/disapproval of the ending and begging for another installment. In it he mentions that he wrote the book so that it could be enjoyed seperately from The Crimson Petal, that you do not have to read Crimson petal to appreciate it, and that it gives away nothing from the first book, but I don't agree.
Two words to sum up this book, for anyone who has read Crimson Petal, would be very satisfying.
The foreword by Michael faber is interesting, so don't skip it, he includes a few letters from readers about their approval/disapproval of the ending and begging for another installment. In it he mentions that he wrote the book so that it could be enjoyed seperately from The Crimson Petal, that you do not have to read Crimson petal to appreciate it, and that it gives away nothing from the first book, but I don't agree.
Spoiler
For example, the story about Sophie in the suffragette marches, would ruin the end of the Crimson Petal as you would know that she was raised by Sugar well, safely, and does not end up following up Sugar's proffession.Two words to sum up this book, for anyone who has read Crimson Petal, would be very satisfying.
shishirin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
storycat's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5