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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
DNF. Couldn’t handle their use of the slur g*psy, couldn’t make it past the first chapter.
3.5 stars. First time I've read a freebie from Amazon, and I didn't have super high expectations because of that. Pleasantly surprised to find an interesting and well told story. Set in Franco's post-WW2 Spain, a time/place I've not read much about. Author didn't take the story route I'd predicted, which was very satisfying.
This novel was an interesting, well-researched story, but I struggled with the pacing. Pages and pages of setting description.... As much as I love being able to visualize the story, this felt like overkill. Also, I had trouble relating to the characters. Although the author tried to frame Rose and Lola as fierce, independent women, their "strength" seemed to be based more on circumstances than ingrained parts of their beings. Kind of a let down.
Historical fiction. Spain. Flamenco. A big Afghan dog. Hiking and nature. Two women and a girl learning who they are and who they can be. A gorgeous cover. Free ebook through Amazon First Reads. These are, as an old song says, some of my favorite things. The only thing that would have made it better would be Lola as the MC instead of Rose. Rounding up to 5 stars.
Minor spoiler alert: If you are thinking of not reading this because reviewers (who live in some morally pure bubble) claim the MC slept with a married man...she didn't know! She doesn't after she knows! What is wrong with y'all? You're breaking my eye rolling muscles.
Minor spoiler alert: If you are thinking of not reading this because reviewers (who live in some morally pure bubble) claim the MC slept with a married man...she didn't know! She doesn't after she knows! What is wrong with y'all? You're breaking my eye rolling muscles.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Set in the aftermath of WWII and the repercussions from the horrible thing people in Spain did to each other when they chose to side with the fascist Nazis or with the local resistance. Similar to civil wars, after the war is over both sides have to go back to living side-by-side. This book had the feel of a young adult book because I didn't feel I had an in-depth understanding of this historical time and place. It was interesting that being a Gypsy didn't have the negative implications it often does now. However, there was and is plenty of discrimination of and among Spanish Gypsies. Comment: when a woman got in legal trouble for attacking a man who was trying to rape her, the local community's attitude was: Lots of men wanted to marry her, including the unwanted attacker, and she should have married one of them [to be their sex slave, cook, maid, etc.]. This was based on a true story and that made it more meaningful to me.
I'm so glad I make a point of reading book acknowledgments first. In the case of THE SNOW GYPSY by Lindsay Jayne Ashford, I learned about the real-life people and events that portions of this excellent fiction novel are based on. That knowledge served to increase my reading enjoyment. I highly recommend this book.
The Snow Gypsy has some beautiful imagery. I never cared for the characters. To me the characters make a book. I need attachment and want to enjoy their life. The characters could have died and I would not have noticed. The author tried to write in some moral dilemmas sleeping with married man, she didn’t know he was married, and sleeping with a nazi, she didn’t know that either it just made me disconnect even more with the character. I do not care that she had romantic relationships. I did not find this a romance novel. It was a historical fiction that was slightly skimpy on the historical aspects but had some beautiful imagery. The major twists were a little predictable to me but that is just me. Also Rose is not supposed to follow one religion and she is clearly a Christian. Why pretend she had any other roots is beyond me it really detracted from her character.
I give this 2 stars because like I said, the characters make a book for me and these characters fell flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
I give this 2 stars because like I said, the characters make a book for me and these characters fell flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
I did not think I would get as into this book as I did. It was a fascinating story and it really sucked me in.
Beautiful imagery that really makes me want to visit the region of Spain that the majority of the book takes place in.
There were a few things that I didn't love about it and a lot that just didn't get resolved.
Overall though a solid story and I liked learning about the life of gypsies in that era.