Scan barcode
emilymhb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The audiobook was beautifully done, and were it not for the great narration, I may not have enjoyed this book as much as I did. It touched my heart to hear Manod’s story of education and exploration, though I do wish that development in her character was shown by her standing up for herself towards the end of the novel. Even still, such a phenomenal book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, and Suicide
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Grief, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
kirstym25's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: War
elizabeth_henry's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: War
minniepauline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
What a beautiful little book. Living inside Manod’s head for two hundred pages or so is an experience I want to go back and revisit. I know I didn’t get all of the poetry available on my first read (though the longing is heartbreaking and unmissable). It’s a moving account of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. Born on a Welsh island with a dwindling population, she’s beginning to see possibilities for herself elsewhere, but can’t see how to free herself of her ties to her home. The world is on the cusp of war (it’s 1938), and comes in on the tide in the form of two researchers. The short sections in which the book is written kept me turning the pages, as did the tension between what Manod thinks is happening and what may be the truth as she interacts with these newcomers. The ending is brilliant and perfect. Manod is a character who will stay with me.
I rated the book a 4.75 because I was a little confused at first about who was who in Manod’s family. It took me a while to get my feet, so to speak, in her world. But maybe that’s deliberate. Thank you so much to Pantheon for allowing me to read an advanced copy! I will be looking for O’Connor’s next work with anticipation.
I rated the book a 4.75 because I was a little confused at first about who was who in Manod’s family. It took me a while to get my feet, so to speak, in her world. But maybe that’s deliberate. Thank you so much to Pantheon for allowing me to read an advanced copy! I will be looking for O’Connor’s next work with anticipation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
More...