Scan barcode
hcharris15's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katrenia's review against another edition
5.0
I love that this book alternates between Tilly/Tilda’s childhood and adult perspectives. Often what we think is truth as a kid is vastly different from reality. I got a kick out of Tilly’s singing all the wrong words to songs and what she heard and called things she didn’t understand. I hate the “too late” type of ending and that made me sad.
One thing that jumped out to me about the mom’s mental state was that she was put into a facility not long after she had Tilly. Could that have been postpartum depression? It was in an era where that was recognized or dealt with in a healthy fashion. Perhaps the way that was handled impacted her confidence and mental well being the rest of her life?
One thing that jumped out to me about the mom’s mental state was that she was put into a facility not long after she had Tilly. Could that have been postpartum depression? It was in an era where that was recognized or dealt with in a healthy fashion. Perhaps the way that was handled impacted her confidence and mental well being the rest of her life?
75desirees's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
jelomath's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sriston's review against another edition
3.0
This book kept me interested but I had a really difficult time trying to figure out who was real and who wasn’t a ghost and even at the end of the book I still wasn’t sure about some of the characters. It was very confusing for me.
leannerussell's review against another edition
5.0
Delightfully quirky and thoroughly enjoyable! I couldn't put this book down and am actually a bit gutted that I've finished it! Now I'm off to buy some more of Ruth Hogan's works!
daidui's review against another edition
3.0
Like putting a puzzle together
Reading this book felt like putting a puzzle together. It started tedious, sorting everything out and building the plot. But then the pieces all fell together and by the end, there was a sense of bittersweet joy. A complicated book, like the other two by Hogan, but still a pleasant
Tilda was boring as hell. I was far more interested in Tilly and her world view. The adult characters, like Daniel and MR Long Name, were weirdly two dimensional. They seemed more like plot devices than people. The heavy handed mother/child comparisons were a bit hard to bear.
Reading this book felt like putting a puzzle together. It started tedious, sorting everything out and building the plot. But then the pieces all fell together and by the end, there was a sense of bittersweet joy. A complicated book, like the other two by Hogan, but still a pleasant
Tilda was boring as hell. I was far more interested in Tilly and her world view. The adult characters, like Daniel and MR Long Name, were weirdly two dimensional. They seemed more like plot devices than people. The heavy handed mother/child comparisons were a bit hard to bear.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I tried reading this author's prior novel, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes. It was a no go for me. I tried several times and found myself not engaged in the story or the characters. However, after reading this book, I will pick up the prior novel again and give it another chance.
As I got to know Tilly and the childhood she had; I am glad she had people like Queenie and others in her life. Not to say that her parents were bad. Tilly loved and adored her father but as she read her mother's diary, she came to learn that her mother truly loved her with all her heart the best way she could. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel is a sweet, enjoyable read.
Last parting words "Tell your loved ones you love them often and loudly. Don't assume they know you love them" Sometimes all it takes is three simple words to make someone's day better.
As I got to know Tilly and the childhood she had; I am glad she had people like Queenie and others in her life. Not to say that her parents were bad. Tilly loved and adored her father but as she read her mother's diary, she came to learn that her mother truly loved her with all her heart the best way she could. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel is a sweet, enjoyable read.
Last parting words "Tell your loved ones you love them often and loudly. Don't assume they know you love them" Sometimes all it takes is three simple words to make someone's day better.
nicjohnston's review against another edition
3.0
Having loved The Keeper of Lost Things and Sally Red Shoes, I think it is less that this book is mediocre (prob more 3.5/5) and more a case of it not quite living up to the massive anticipation I had built in my own mind. Ruth Hogan’s earlier books took me a little time to get into the rhythm but were hugely satisfying. I felt this plodded and it never really clicked. Readable but not quite what I was looking forward to.