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carysistrying's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
char_reads_'s review against another edition
The main character is a teenager but the narrator is a Middle Ages woman?
mellymc's review against another edition
5.0
Well that was different to what I thought it would be and completely wonderful!
I don't feel that I can go into any more detail without potentially ruining the twists in the tale for other people.
But it's brilliant and, be warned, I cried.
I don't feel that I can go into any more detail without potentially ruining the twists in the tale for other people.
But it's brilliant and, be warned, I cried.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
From the very first page I loved Margot, as she explains the problem with today’s kids is that they all think they’re special. Hah, I know we are probably meant to side with Fliss and slowly come around to like her grandmother as the story unravels. My age is probably showing! Plus, I’d love to go live on a farm in Wales.
It’s set in the late 90s in order to make Margot’s age work. It’s not immediately obvious, just a mention of 1988 being ten years ago, and they still watch videos. There’s also a lack of mobiles and social media, which allows for greater isolation from Fliss’ old life.
The narration is shared between Fliss and her grandmother’s journal entries. Fliss isn’t exactly fitting in at her new school and the journal becomes a distraction for her. She reads about how Margot was evacuated from London in the 40s, going to live on the farm where she finds herself now. There are tales of hot boys and prejudice, and a woman who stood up for what she knew to be right, even if other people hadn’t caught up yet.
Fliss is a spoiled brat and really quite rude at the start of the book. I was a bit concerned about the portrayal of the Welsh versus Londoners, although Fliss does come around later. She’s quite superior, thinking that Londoners are more progressive and civilised. It doesn’t help that the first girls she meets at school are the bullies. It’s important to keep in mind everywhere has moved on since the 90s and I hope Welsh kids don’t pick this up and feel insulted. There are good Welsh people in it too.
As Fliss gets to know Margot through her journal and makes friends at school, she starts to soften as a character. She even gives up meat to rescue a piglet from the slaughterhouse (OK, also to prove a point to Margot). By the end, it’s incredibly moving both in sad and positive ways.
Review copy provided by publisher.
It’s set in the late 90s in order to make Margot’s age work. It’s not immediately obvious, just a mention of 1988 being ten years ago, and they still watch videos. There’s also a lack of mobiles and social media, which allows for greater isolation from Fliss’ old life.
The narration is shared between Fliss and her grandmother’s journal entries. Fliss isn’t exactly fitting in at her new school and the journal becomes a distraction for her. She reads about how Margot was evacuated from London in the 40s, going to live on the farm where she finds herself now. There are tales of hot boys and prejudice, and a woman who stood up for what she knew to be right, even if other people hadn’t caught up yet.
Fliss is a spoiled brat and really quite rude at the start of the book. I was a bit concerned about the portrayal of the Welsh versus Londoners, although Fliss does come around later. She’s quite superior, thinking that Londoners are more progressive and civilised. It doesn’t help that the first girls she meets at school are the bullies. It’s important to keep in mind everywhere has moved on since the 90s and I hope Welsh kids don’t pick this up and feel insulted. There are good Welsh people in it too.
As Fliss gets to know Margot through her journal and makes friends at school, she starts to soften as a character. She even gives up meat to rescue a piglet from the slaughterhouse (OK, also to prove a point to Margot). By the end, it’s incredibly moving both in sad and positive ways.
Review copy provided by publisher.
tonyriver's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting story - a grandmothers and teenage granddaughters stories from a teenage viewpoint. Well written and captivating story with lots of issues raised including death. The challenge of the two meeting with any understanding of each other seems impossible. However a chance find of a diary shows a different woman to the seemingly embittered grandmother.
Recommended.
Recommended.
katiebookqueen's review against another edition
5.0
I read this story throughout January with my fellow members of The Book Club! We also had a Twitter chat about it at the end of the month, which you can catch up on by searching for the #BCChat hashtag.
This book, guys. This book. I'm in awe. From the moment I heard about it, I knew it was my kind of thing. Split between 1998 and a 1940's diary? It called out to me. Margot & Me follows fifteen-year-old Fliss as she moves to a farm in Wales that belongs to her grandmother (who will only go by Margot, she won't be having any of that nan or gran stuff, thank you very much). Fliss believes that she'll be living there for about six months whilst her mother recovers from cancer. Fliss and Margot don't always get along, and Fliss sees her grandmother as quite a strict and severe person. When Fliss finds Margot's diary in the attic, she begins to see a different version of her, a version that she comes to adore.
Let's start with what a wonderfully realistic character Fliss is. Her emotions, her actions, her ways of thinking were told in an open and honest way that made me root for her throughout. Yes, she was naïve at times and didn't always make the wisest decisions, but that only added to the believability of her character. The difficulties she faced at her new school were sad but true for many students who have to switch schools. But the adorable development of her new friendships were heartwarming to witness.
Whilst Fliss had a gripping story, it was Margot's raw and emotional journey back in 1940 that made this book truly special for me. I don't think I can quite express how much love I had for Margot. She was an incredible character with an attitude well ahead of her time. I don't want to say too much about what she goes through for fear of spoiling it, but her story is an important one and I truly felt for her. She may be a fictional character, but you can bet your house that there were many young women like her who were forced into the same heartbreaking corner.
The final quarter of the story was packed full of emotion, and even though thinking back I can see that the signs of what direction this story would take were there, I wasn't actually expecting it. So I was a complete wreck by the end. The two different parts of the story were beautifully weaved together and wrapped up perfectly, leaving the reader to imagine for themselves what happened after the final page. With a focus on family bonds and important friendships, this book ticked a lot of boxes for me and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
This book, guys. This book. I'm in awe. From the moment I heard about it, I knew it was my kind of thing. Split between 1998 and a 1940's diary? It called out to me. Margot & Me follows fifteen-year-old Fliss as she moves to a farm in Wales that belongs to her grandmother (who will only go by Margot, she won't be having any of that nan or gran stuff, thank you very much). Fliss believes that she'll be living there for about six months whilst her mother recovers from cancer. Fliss and Margot don't always get along, and Fliss sees her grandmother as quite a strict and severe person. When Fliss finds Margot's diary in the attic, she begins to see a different version of her, a version that she comes to adore.
Let's start with what a wonderfully realistic character Fliss is. Her emotions, her actions, her ways of thinking were told in an open and honest way that made me root for her throughout. Yes, she was naïve at times and didn't always make the wisest decisions, but that only added to the believability of her character. The difficulties she faced at her new school were sad but true for many students who have to switch schools. But the adorable development of her new friendships were heartwarming to witness.
Whilst Fliss had a gripping story, it was Margot's raw and emotional journey back in 1940 that made this book truly special for me. I don't think I can quite express how much love I had for Margot. She was an incredible character with an attitude well ahead of her time. I don't want to say too much about what she goes through for fear of spoiling it, but her story is an important one and I truly felt for her. She may be a fictional character, but you can bet your house that there were many young women like her who were forced into the same heartbreaking corner.
The final quarter of the story was packed full of emotion, and even though thinking back I can see that the signs of what direction this story would take were there, I wasn't actually expecting it. So I was a complete wreck by the end. The two different parts of the story were beautifully weaved together and wrapped up perfectly, leaving the reader to imagine for themselves what happened after the final page. With a focus on family bonds and important friendships, this book ticked a lot of boxes for me and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
tonyriver's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting story - a grandmothers and teenage granddaughters stories from a teenage viewpoint. Well written and captivating story with lots of issues raised including death. The challenge of the two meeting with any understanding of each other seems impossible. However a chance find of a diary shows a different woman to the seemingly embittered grandmother.
Recommended.
Recommended.
lmn9812's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED Margot, I thought Fliss was very funny, and the story was beautifully told.
leilaboo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
larryleex's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75