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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Fascinating story of life in London in 1665 for a young Jewish female philosopher. I liked the authors choice to weave the story with present-day historians slowly unfolding Esther’s life.
I started to read it for a book club but didn't have time to finish - to be honest it's not really my cup of tea, so I decided that since I no longer had to finish it for book club, I could let my library loan lapse without renewing it again.
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book felt long and drawn out. But that might just be that 500+ page books aren't something I am drawn too. My mom highly recommended it. The writing was okay, nothing spectacular though. I felt no real interest in or connection to any of the characters. I did find the history interesting, which is something that kept me going with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Torture
3.5 - Good story, but it dragged a lot. I found Ester a little irritating, and even though I was more interested in Helen and Aaron, the modern day storyline didn’t have enough story to sustain it. The chapters back in 2001 went a long time without anything happening.
It had some really pretty writing and concepts in it, though. And the scenes set in the 1600s seemed convincing to me. And I’ve hardly read any books set in that timeframe, much less one about the London Jewish population, I learned a lot!
It had some really pretty writing and concepts in it, though. And the scenes set in the 1600s seemed convincing to me. And I’ve hardly read any books set in that timeframe, much less one about the London Jewish population, I learned a lot!
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My favorite book of 2020. Rich in history and emotional depth.