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electrolite's review against another edition
2.0
The second star is only because Williams made me finish this so I could get some closure on the plot.
I am sure Williams is an able historian. Her notes regarding research and the rich descriptions of the setting and time speak to this. But, otherwise this book doesn't have much going for it. Williams breaks up the narrative by continually changing the narrative voice and perspective. However, the tension that this should bring becomes frustration as the reader struggles to recall who said what, when, what is real and what is a dream etc. Her attempts at delving into the psychology of her characters, while appreciated, are often tedious. The greatest problem here is that the work lacks coherency, a solid center to hold the work together. While reading this I kept thinking that Williams was trying to do too much both in terms of plot and style.
I am sure Williams is an able historian. Her notes regarding research and the rich descriptions of the setting and time speak to this. But, otherwise this book doesn't have much going for it. Williams breaks up the narrative by continually changing the narrative voice and perspective. However, the tension that this should bring becomes frustration as the reader struggles to recall who said what, when, what is real and what is a dream etc. Her attempts at delving into the psychology of her characters, while appreciated, are often tedious. The greatest problem here is that the work lacks coherency, a solid center to hold the work together. While reading this I kept thinking that Williams was trying to do too much both in terms of plot and style.
rossetto_e_guai's review against another edition
4.0
Una storia vittoriana come se ne trovano moltissime. Ha l’enorme pregio di non essere prevedibile: io fino alla fine non ho capito chi fosse l’omicida seriale e le motivazioni. Ha indubbiamente dei passaggi poco credibili, ma lì si può perdonare perché la storia scorre davvero bene ed è tutto dark and twisty al punto giusto
bethanygladhill's review against another edition
I rarely can't finish a book. But every now and then there's an exception.
jojodee's review against another edition
I wanted so badly to like this book but gave up about half way through
krismcd59's review against another edition
2.0
Sorry, I gave up. It's well written, but I've just read too many Victorian-protected-lady-meets-seamy-underbelly-where-Jack-the-Ripperesque-killer-lurks tales, even with a bit of lesbian-ladies'-maid thrown in for good measure. If you like that sort of thing, this is a fine example, but I guess I don't so much.
daniellecowles's review against another edition
4.0
I was unsure of the book based on the synopsis on the back cover. And even more so as I worked my way through the first few pages. At times, the story can be hard to follow but Williams has actually weaved quite an elaborate tale that once you are in you have to finish. If readers find themselves confused I recommend continuing to read the story, everything makes sense the deeper you go into the story, and all comes together at the end. The climax is well done but the conclusion is rather a let down, for such a suspenseful novel. Overall, good book, and worth the time.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
This should have been a winner with me, a pre-Peeler Victorian murder mystery with an undercurrent of mental illness, this one was largely a miss for me. There were moments that worked, but overall it just wasn't me.
Catherine Sorgeiul lives in Spitalfields with her Uncle. She is getting older and there is a possiblilty that she won't find a husband. Her uncle is eccentric and she herself is prone to what were referred to as fits of imagining. She has spent some time in institutions after her mother dies followed rapidly by her father going missing. She was passed from relative to relative and her sanity has been eroded at every turn. It is possible that with a focus for her life she could ahve found something to do and made something of her life but the Victorian era didn't really allow for this.
And it was for Catherine I kept reading. However I was never sure if what she was experiencing was real or imagined. There were several times that I suspected her as the killer. In the end I disliked her unreliable narration and the story. It just didn't really work for me and I finished it feeling somehow cheated.
Catherine Sorgeiul lives in Spitalfields with her Uncle. She is getting older and there is a possiblilty that she won't find a husband. Her uncle is eccentric and she herself is prone to what were referred to as fits of imagining. She has spent some time in institutions after her mother dies followed rapidly by her father going missing. She was passed from relative to relative and her sanity has been eroded at every turn. It is possible that with a focus for her life she could ahve found something to do and made something of her life but the Victorian era didn't really allow for this.
And it was for Catherine I kept reading. However I was never sure if what she was experiencing was real or imagined. There were several times that I suspected her as the killer. In the end I disliked her unreliable narration and the story. It just didn't really work for me and I finished it feeling somehow cheated.
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
4.0
I have NO idea why this book has such a low average rating. I admit it dissuaded me for many months but I adore Kate Williams and decided to give it go.
I’m so glad I did!
This is a dark, haunting story. I liked the character of Catherine very much. I felt badly for her given the tragedy and darkness that surrounded her all the time. She was a tragic heroine.
The story was well-paced, intriguing and intellectual.
Please don’t be dissuaded by the average reviews here, if you like intellectual, gothic Victorian novels, read this book!
I’m so glad I did!
This is a dark, haunting story. I liked the character of Catherine very much. I felt badly for her given the tragedy and darkness that surrounded her all the time. She was a tragic heroine.
The story was well-paced, intriguing and intellectual.
Please don’t be dissuaded by the average reviews here, if you like intellectual, gothic Victorian novels, read this book!
ganzfeldstate's review against another edition
2.0
I read all but twenty pages of this in one 2hr sitting, which sounds like achievement but I think actually demonstrates its character as a page turner lacking in any actual depth. I've had my fill of Victorian young women who 'aren't like the rest of them' and the make-u-think paragraphs about the lives of women then which I think have been done infinitely better by other people. I actually thought this was picking up and then it had an ending that smacked of being forced to finish it in fifteen minutes and hashing everything together. And the 'reveal' - man what a cliche.
In summary, not very well written or interesting or original but I guess it kept me vaguely entertained.
In summary, not very well written or interesting or original but I guess it kept me vaguely entertained.
elliepamela's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5