Reviews

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

zoebaillie's review against another edition

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I've spent my whole teen and adult life involved in various activist/political circles, I saw myself and all my awful flaws projected large in this book, but maybe not the genuine altruistic intentions I know are there all the way through these groups. That said, I really enjoyed the character development and all the different motives of the characters in this story.

I found the pacing pretty hit and miss here, incredibly slow for much of the book with a frustratingly rushed conclusion. I think this was to try and build suspense and tension but it just felt a bit anti climactic, after sticking with the characters for so long it almost felt like Catton just ran out of time towards the end? I've seen similar reviews on here, it's a shame the ending wasn't fleshed out more.

meghanloisann's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

kimcheel's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

teaionescu's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

sarahgeee's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jenkilduff's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

sal_3's review

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

krunsig's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

schwalove's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

katakarin's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0