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oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
What a strange, dark and sinister story! My first Comyns and she writes like a dream. I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere, and the strange characters and how we move between their thoughts and the action. Rich and visual with a fresh, contemporary feel.
There was a weird 'timestamp' in the beginning that totally through me off for the vast majority of the story: says it takes place about seventy years ago..' in Warwickshire and since the book was published in 1954, my brain was primed to date it in the 1880s. But then a character writes a letter and dates it 1911... so... what? And the 'seventy years ago' disclaimer doesn't work for my edition either. So.... shrug. Not sure what the context is for the sentence. But as far as nitpicks go, it's a small one.
There was a weird 'timestamp' in the beginning that totally through me off for the vast majority of the story: says it takes place about seventy years ago..' in Warwickshire and since the book was published in 1954, my brain was primed to date it in the 1880s. But then a character writes a letter and dates it 1911... so... what? And the 'seventy years ago' disclaimer doesn't work for my edition either. So.... shrug. Not sure what the context is for the sentence. But as far as nitpicks go, it's a small one.
subspacetachyon's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
blundershelf's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely, absolutely a tragicomic. Simultaneously funny and grave and unendingly entertaining. A bit like if Olga Tokarczuk was English.
dhgwilliam's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
andalara's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
thedukeofpuke_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child death, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Racism, and Miscarriage
Minor: Vomit
papercutdoctor's review against another edition
3.0
audiobook from the library
I liked the writing style, but the story never really hooked me.
I liked the writing style, but the story never really hooked me.