Scan barcode
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
There are glimmers of a brilliant story here, but this book was overlong and dull for long stretches because there's not enough plot for a full length novel. More complete review to come.
aceinit's review against another edition
2.0
This is another one of those books I wanted to like more than I actually did. Like most readers, I was mesmerized by Setterfield's previous work, "The Thirteenth Tale." Though "Bellman & Black is a thoroughly readable book, it never really pulled me in, never mesmerized me, never made me care about Will Bellman or his clockwork life, about the tragedy that surround him, or the mysterious business partner who plagues him.
The problem with a character like Bellman, who is at all times a step removed from his own story, is that caring about such a character (and subsequently their story) is difficult. I always felt like I was watching the narrative unfold from behind a foggy pane of glass: I could see enough that was happening and understand enough to get the story, but I never connected with the story.
And while Setterfield's narrative was enough to make me keep turning the pages, it was nowhere near enough for me to be impressed.
The problem with a character like Bellman, who is at all times a step removed from his own story, is that caring about such a character (and subsequently their story) is difficult. I always felt like I was watching the narrative unfold from behind a foggy pane of glass: I could see enough that was happening and understand enough to get the story, but I never connected with the story.
And while Setterfield's narrative was enough to make me keep turning the pages, it was nowhere near enough for me to be impressed.
jen_jacob's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, although after reading the entire thing it isn't as good as The Thirteenth Tale. Until about half way through I couldn't put it down but somewhere in the last quarter it fell flat where it could have taken on a more macabre, gothic feel. I guess I had higher hopes because The Thirteenth Tale was great, Setterfield could have done better with the ending on this one.
rhianreads14's review against another edition
Beautiful writing but entirely unengaging story
mrsdryoder's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story all the way up to the end, but there it fell flat to me. I read it on my nook, which makes it difficult to read the ending first as I like to do. Hard to say if I would have read this one if I had known the ending first. I liked the author's first novel better.
madmooney's review against another edition
4.0
Quick thoughts: I enjoyed Setterfield's ability to give her story a placeless and timeless feel (much like she did in The Thirteenth Tale) Its difficult to effectively describe the plot of the book without describing the 1st half of it. Basically, it is a "man makes a deal with with force(s) he doesn't understand when tragedy strikes" sort of story...but it is so much more than that. I never would have guessed an author would have been able to make the textile industry sound interesting enough to read about...good on you, Diane!
s_l's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.0
amcc92's review against another edition
2.0
this book didnt come close to The Thirteenth Tale, which is amazing! i was honestly disappointed with this book, and i wouldnt suggest it to anyone. while there was a couple aspects i liked, such as the main character, it didnt make up for the blah plot line.