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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This book was an enjoyable read. I think it could have been shorter and still gotten the same message and emotions across. I loved the parallels between Cristabel and Digby's childhoods and their roles during the war. That was a very well done concept of this book. I also really enjoyed the author's writing style, and how it correlated with some scenes. Having the cross generational storyline really helped solidify how the children's childhoods impacted their adult lives.
This is, quite simply, a very beautiful book. The prose throughout are stunning. Joanna Quinn is incredibly talented. The Whalebone Theatre is a book I will be recommending far and wide. You will not want to put this book down, but you will also not want this book to end, and you will want to take your time with it.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Like other English sagas of ye old college lit classes, we find a dysfunctional family on a countryside estate with an unloved daughter, distracted father, and neglectful stepmother. A girl, her half sister, and her cousin-brother entertain themselves through community plays on the carcass of the King's washed-up whale. These lessons in acting come in handy when Sis and cousin-brother become Spies for the war effort. Step-Sis remains home to keep the estate running smoothly as shelter for the Germs. A shit-ton of pages later and it ends as one would expect. A character expose to the most banal degree. This is not the literary masterpiece I was promised, nor did I want to read a literary masterpiece to begin with. Jennifer Garner promised me beautiful. I was given boring. Still, once I set the speed to 2.3x I was determined to finish this one. Written in 2022, reads like written in 1847.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Historical fiction that starts between WWI and WWII with a precocious girl creating theater productions with the help of an eccentric artist and family and friends and segues into a depressing story about WWII.
I feel like I connected with this book because of my love for theatre. I see a lot of negative reviews for it, but with my love for the arts and interest in WWII…I loved this story.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes