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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, War
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content
DNF - just can't get into it. made it to page 119, going to take a break and maybe give it another chance after i really a really good book and get into a groove
This novel started off quite compelling, but I felt like it petered out into some predictable World War II fare. I enjoyed the main characters as unruly feral children, growing up in a grand Gothic estate and coming into their own as they move their playtime dramas from the attic to a real theater they build on the property. Those scenes were magical and fraught, as the adults with their many problems weave back into the narrative. But as the war approaches and scatter the three children into different roles within the conflict, the plot becomes dense and slow.
On paper, it’s totally in my wheelhouse: chonky book that spans a large swath of time, feminist themes, family drama and a deep dive on complex characters. I liked it, but I did not love it. It reminded me in so many ways of Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. So if you love that novel, which I know so many people do, you must pick up The Whalebone Theater!
On paper, it’s totally in my wheelhouse: chonky book that spans a large swath of time, feminist themes, family drama and a deep dive on complex characters. I liked it, but I did not love it. It reminded me in so many ways of Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. So if you love that novel, which I know so many people do, you must pick up The Whalebone Theater!
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and complicated. Joanna Quinn has a way of writing that takes you beyond the words on the page. I felt like I was in England when I read this book.