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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER by Kate Morton
It took me a while to finish this (longer than my usual 2-3 days that is) not because it wasn’t good, but because I had so many other things going on.
I’ve read a few books by this author and enjoyed them. Her writing and prose is beautiful and atmospheric. I kind of wish I waited to read this in October because it has a bit of spookiness combined with mysterious old mansions. Definitely giving cool and foggy autumnal days.
While I loved the premise and the first 100 pages, the rest of it missed the mark for me. The story spans decades and is narrated by multiple characters. Normally I don’t mind multiple POVs when it’s done well, but here it became convoluted and confusing which didn’t make for a pleasant reading experience.
Overall, this story started out strong, but it didn’t capture my interest or live up to my expectations.
Rating: 2/5 ⭐️
It took me a while to finish this (longer than my usual 2-3 days that is) not because it wasn’t good, but because I had so many other things going on.
I’ve read a few books by this author and enjoyed them. Her writing and prose is beautiful and atmospheric. I kind of wish I waited to read this in October because it has a bit of spookiness combined with mysterious old mansions. Definitely giving cool and foggy autumnal days.
While I loved the premise and the first 100 pages, the rest of it missed the mark for me. The story spans decades and is narrated by multiple characters. Normally I don’t mind multiple POVs when it’s done well, but here it became convoluted and confusing which didn’t make for a pleasant reading experience.
Overall, this story started out strong, but it didn’t capture my interest or live up to my expectations.
Rating: 2/5 ⭐️
This is the first Kate Morton book I've read. I've been drawn to her books in the past but just haven't picked one up. Historical Fiction isn't really in my usual wheelhouse. To each her own. This book is told through multiple interwoven plot lines, which I LOVE, and I enjoyed watching them all come together. I dashed through the last 25% of the book, watching all the pieces click satisfyingly into place. Eh, almost all the pieces.
It took forever to get through the first 75% of the book, and I just. did. not. care. for Elodie's plot line. Of all the intertangled lives, I felt like hers was the least compelling and the least satisfying at the end of the book. I have so many questions... Putting that aside, I was charmed by the rest of the characters (More Juliet, please! More Ada!) and loved the combination of a ghost story, a love story, and a puzzle.
It took forever to get through the first 75% of the book, and I just. did. not. care. for Elodie's plot line. Of all the intertangled lives, I felt like hers was the least compelling and the least satisfying at the end of the book. I have so many questions... Putting that aside, I was charmed by the rest of the characters (More Juliet, please! More Ada!) and loved the combination of a ghost story, a love story, and a puzzle.
I typically love Kate Morton books but this was probably my least favorite I read. I had an EXTREMLY hard time keeping all the characters and timelines straight. I could not figure out who was where and when. By the second half I started being able to remember everyone better and follow along and that is when I started enjoying it a lot more. I did feel that it ended up being predictable. No spoiler but basically as soon as one thing was mentioned I knew exactly how there came to be a ghost at Birchwood Manor.
The Clockmaker's Daughter was good. I loved the story lines of each character. I thought it was a creative book and one that you don't really see in other fiction novels.
With that being said, I thought there was almost too much going on. Too many story lines to follow. And we kind of lose sight of some of the characters and the focus is shifted from present day to the past, with what I thought no real ending for the present story line. All in all, I think she put too much into one book.
With that being said, I thought there was almost too much going on. Too many story lines to follow. And we kind of lose sight of some of the characters and the focus is shifted from present day to the past, with what I thought no real ending for the present story line. All in all, I think she put too much into one book.
Compared to Morton’s other novels, The Clockmaker’s Daughter felt erratic. I stopped reading halfway through because she introduced a new character in a new time period every other chapter, and it was difficult to see how they all connected. One might chastise me for not reading to the end, but by the time I reached my current position in the book, there had been no progress on the mystery introduced in the first few chapters, just a barrage of new characters seen through the eyes of a ghost. Morton usually does an excellent job of connecting past and present, as her other novels all contain a present day protagonist trying to illuminate the life of a mysterious woman from the past. Comparatively, The Clockmaker’s Daughter feels like it’s still in draft stages. If you love Kate Morton, go ahead and read the novel, but know you’ll need to be in it for the long haul.
I bought this book when it first came out, and then haven’t picked it up until now, because sometimes I unnecessarily procrastinate about silly things. When I first started the book, it was like connecting with an old friend, as Kate Morton’s writing style, and the words she chooses to weave her tales are mesmerizing and lyrical. It was a bit of a slow start, but then I started to get more intrigued by the characters and the story.
But then it started to drag on and on, bouncing between too many different timelines, too many different characters, and I started to get antsy and bored. I pushed through and finished it, but we limped across the finish line, and, the ending was horrific and sad! There was so much tragedy in the book, no real justice, and it left too many unanswered questions. The title in itself feels like a misnomer, as the fact that her father made clocks has no impact on the story - it has no tie in after her father leaves, and it doesn’t impact the character basically at all. The dad’s occupation could be changed to any field, and it would have the same effect on the story. This could’ve been called the Baker’s daughter, and it could’ve taken the same trajectory.
I really don’t like discouraging endings, and the way that the main/secondary heroine (it was hard to tell who was supposed to be the main character of the story) died was really depressing. Especially since her life seemed to be full of tragedy, and difficult situations, and then she went out in such a stupid, frustrating, and terrifying way! I find Morton’s books often has a tinge of sadness, but this one just felt depressing. Why tell me a story over 500 pages (which is way too bloody long - I agree with every review that said if could be at least 100 pages shorter) just to have it end on such a bummer note? And with too many characters, I didn’t know who I was supposed to care about, and in the end, I didn’t care about any of them. She could’ve cut out at least three of the secondary characters, and it still would’ve been a cohesive story. I don’t recommend this book, and I will donate it to a library or second hand store, as I don’t want a subject anyone I know to this sad and frustrating story.
But then it started to drag on and on, bouncing between too many different timelines, too many different characters, and I started to get antsy and bored. I pushed through and finished it, but we limped across the finish line, and, the ending was horrific and sad! There was so much tragedy in the book, no real justice, and it left too many unanswered questions. The title in itself feels like a misnomer, as the fact that her father made clocks has no impact on the story - it has no tie in after her father leaves, and it doesn’t impact the character basically at all. The dad’s occupation could be changed to any field, and it would have the same effect on the story. This could’ve been called the Baker’s daughter, and it could’ve taken the same trajectory.
I really don’t like discouraging endings, and the way that the main/secondary heroine (it was hard to tell who was supposed to be the main character of the story) died was really depressing. Especially since her life seemed to be full of tragedy, and difficult situations, and then she went out in such a stupid, frustrating, and terrifying way! I find Morton’s books often has a tinge of sadness, but this one just felt depressing. Why tell me a story over 500 pages (which is way too bloody long - I agree with every review that said if could be at least 100 pages shorter) just to have it end on such a bummer note? And with too many characters, I didn’t know who I was supposed to care about, and in the end, I didn’t care about any of them. She could’ve cut out at least three of the secondary characters, and it still would’ve been a cohesive story. I don’t recommend this book, and I will donate it to a library or second hand store, as I don’t want a subject anyone I know to this sad and frustrating story.
I struggled with this book. It has so many elements I usually enjoy. The writing was beautiful. I liked the multiple interwoven storylines. But it was long. The characters were somewhat flat, and the end?? There is a difference between leading the reader to the ending and just plain not finishing. Sure, I can imagine where EVERY SINGLE STORYLINE, left unfinished, is going based on where she left the metaphorical ellipses, but it just felt lazy. I actually went back and listened to the last hour of the audiobook two additional times to make sure I didn’t miss anything and that was really how it ended. It almost felt like I received a copy that was missing the last 10% though I know i didn’t.
The reveal was not my favorite. Also! If someone I know reads this, let me know when you’re done so we can talk about it!