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mouhy's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't aware that this was ICB's last novel when I picked it up, which come to think of it now, casts a different light on this aptly-titled book. I'm not gonna say this one is her best (it isn't, not by a long shot and I've only read three of her novels so far) but it does have her unmistakable voice which I've come to love. It really is akin to sitting with a very old friend because by now I feel like I've gotten so used to her rapid-fire dialogues that I no longer mind that I don't always know who's uttering which sentence, I just find that I'm intuiting it as it's become second nature to me. This little novel was entertaining from start to finish with great female characters throughout, ICB not only wrote great female protagonists but the secondary female characters are imbued with such character that puts other authors' leading ladies to shame. While I still don't think it would make the best introduction to Ivy Compton-Burnett's fiction, I'm grateful that Dame Ivy blessed us with so many novels that it's hard to be picky when all so far have proved a joy to read and discover.
dadoodoflow's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The bitchiest book I’ve ever read, often left me aghast and laughing. Power, money, and family. Told mostly in exquisite dialogue. Probably not the best novel of hers to start with (her last, found in her papers) but bowled me over all the same
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