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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really enjoying this one, despite the somewhat unlikely situations (Charlie lost both testicles and half of his penis, but he was otherwise able to romp around in the ocean?) and characters that were a little wooden. Anyway, I was plugging along, finding the book to be enjoyable, even if it wasn't that well-written, until I got to the part where Stephen stabs a baby in the stomach. Totally unnecessary, and it ruined the entire book for me. My son is a baby boy with blue eyes, too, who kicks and smiles big toothless grins when someone comes over to the crib to look at him. So reading the part about Stephen killing the little boy with a knife sickened me. I tossed the book away and spent the rest of the night watching my baby sleep.
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Of all the Gregory books I have read, this one is my least favorite. While interesting historically (Post WWI), the story just wasn't all that interesting. The conflicts were too internal to really move the plot. The problems were with the characters and their lack of communication, so there was a lot of omniscient narrator slowing moving the story along.
Like, wtf?! Everyone in this book pissed me off. Also, they're all crazy. And selfish. And it took me an absurdly long time to finish it.
By the time I realized there were no redeeming qualities in almost all of the main characters, I'd already read more than half of the book and felt obligated to finish it.
I never felt a real story push, or a point to the book at all. The driving action at the end wasn't really the same as the beginning unless you zero in on Stephens' problems. The ending was abrupt and if you're going to go through all that trouble, at least give me little fan service and happy ending.
I never felt a real story push, or a point to the book at all. The driving action at the end wasn't really the same as the beginning unless you zero in on Stephens' problems. The ending was abrupt and if you're going to go through all that trouble, at least give me little fan service and happy ending.
Depressing didn't like it. Well written though so two stars.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I usually love Philippa Gregory's books and was excited to experience the 1920's through her writing. Unfortunately the antagonist was such a vile, loathsome man that it overtook the story and I found myself filled with hatred for a fictional character who is completely manipulative to everyone around him. Definitely worth a read, but that character left such a foul taste in my mouth that it's not one of my favorites of the author.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes