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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I really really loved this. I really love Kate Morton and I can’t even think of the book of hers that I don’t love completely but this one really did it for me. It has all the elements of Morton’s usual fair - mysteries of the past being uncovered by women of the future working through their own stuff, wonderfully drawn scenery (and HOUSES, which are a grand passion of my own), and totally convincing historical settings. But this had so many more elements that were plain old perfect for me. For one, there were ghosts. Which is perfectly lovely any time of year but even better when you finish this one the 28th of October. Also there was the theme of moving through time in the same location - many occupants of the same house. A Victorian mystery. Pre-Ralphaelite painters. The lonely, somewhat sickly rich kid trope. Pickpockets. People being evacuated from WWII London... this had it all. I feel like I am just fangirling about this book. I don’t know, maybe I can’t be objective about Kate Morton, but I really thought this was almost perfect.
A typical Kate Morton story involving an old manor house in England that holds secrets in its walls. In this case, it is the story of a young artist, on the cusp of greatness, and his love of a beautiful red-haired woman, abandoned to a life of petty crime as a young girl. Together they spend a carefree summer in the 1860s in the country celebrating young life and love, with a tragic end. This story is gradually revealed and uncovered by visitors to the house over the time since then.
In typical Kate Morton style, each character in the story is eventually linked to the revelation of the events during that tragic summer.
In typical Kate Morton style, each character in the story is eventually linked to the revelation of the events during that tragic summer.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Due out in October, this hits all the Morton sweet spots: mouldering Victorian mansion, a story that shifts back and forth in time, secrets and lies, a mystery that unspools with gorgeous prose and unforgettable characters. Add to that formula a brooding, brilliant artist (in the 1860's) and a young archivist about to enter into an ill-advised marriage and you have the perfect summer read for historical fiction fans. Highly recommended.
This is a dense book with a large cast of characters across many time periods. All these characters interact with each other in a myriad of ways at different point in time. Its inevitable therefore that it can feel very confusing and maybe even deliberately so. However if you can stick with it, its worthwhile. the writing is beautiful and vividly brings to life the feeling of a place at different times. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
mysterious
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:
Yes
Pretty good. I liked how it kept switching from character to character, and I had to keep remembering what was with each person. Definitely not something to read when you do not want to think.
I've finally decided I just can't finish this book. The premise is interesting, the characters potentially worth learning about, but I'm many chapters in and the story is going NOWHERE. This seemed right up my alley, but I'm finally throwing in the towel.
This book was a struggle for me. I generally enjoy Kate Morton's books, but this one was tough to get through. There were so many characters that I needed to keep a notebook to map them out. She would get you into a character's story and then stop the story and you would start fresh with new character. Frustrating. In the end I understand why she wrote the book the way she did. However, I was so annoyed 1/2 through the book that I just started to skim the book so I could get to the end. I gave the book two stars as some of the individual stories were good.
funny
mysterious
reflective