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msnyderk's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Loved the setting and how the author really put you there with her words. Different story and I didn't totally see the ending coming.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Uma bela narrativa cheia de malentendidos, medos, silêncios, que se intercalam com racismos e preconceitos, que podem levar à loucura ou ao suicídio. Muito lindo, chorei bastante ao final. Recomendo muito.
suehepworth's review against another edition
3.5
BOOK CLUB - my choice.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was really enjoying it until the last couple of chapters, where I found the ending and explanations as to the birth of the colored children a bit weak. It was also a bit far fetched regarding the no memory of the "rape". Regardless, I thought the book to be well written, if a little old fashioned in places, with an unusual subject matter. What a secret to have and how heartbreaking for Lyoni to die. So, in summary, pleasant enough but not on my "must read" list.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was really enjoying it until the last couple of chapters, where I found the ending and explanations as to the birth of the colored children a bit weak. It was also a bit far fetched regarding the no memory of the "rape". Regardless, I thought the book to be well written, if a little old fashioned in places, with an unusual subject matter. What a secret to have and how heartbreaking for Lyoni to die. So, in summary, pleasant enough but not on my "must read" list.
heatherhira's review against another edition
2.0
From the description I was expecting something along the lines of [a:Agatha Christie|123715|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1321738793p2/123715.jpg]'s [b:Endless Night|16366|Endless Night|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329520805s/16366.jpg|1331617], and that level of intrigue was occasionally implied. However, I found the overall tone of the book distractedly inconsistent, especially when trying to balance the reality television level drama with passive character development. It felt as though the story could not decide if it were a class drama, a historical thriller, or an exotic epic.
Mind you, I read it rather quickly and it did not occur to me to give up partway. In that sense, I found the book engaging and the pacing was rather good.
The contrast of the outward conflicts (economic straights, social-political unrest) with the inward struggles (mainly guilt and depression) played well with the setting. While these conflicts--in addition to a central theme of racism--feature heavily in the plot, the handling of said topics when interspersed with the family drama often seemed overly trite, especially considering that every non-white character is portrayed as a saint and remains a flat character for the duration of the novel.
Mind you, I read it rather quickly and it did not occur to me to give up partway. In that sense, I found the book engaging and the pacing was rather good.
The contrast of the outward conflicts (economic straights, social-political unrest) with the inward struggles (mainly guilt and depression) played well with the setting. While these conflicts--in addition to a central theme of racism--feature heavily in the plot, the handling of said topics when interspersed with the family drama often seemed overly trite, especially considering that every non-white character is portrayed as a saint and remains a flat character for the duration of the novel.
elliemcc11's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this review copy.
Gwen is a young British woman who set sails for Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where she's meeting her husband, a widower who's family has owned a tea plantation for many years. She's filled with trepidation but meets a kind Sri Lankan man who directs her to the nearest colonial hotel. Her husband eventually arrives and after a romantic rendevous they travel to the plantation and she immerses herself in the life of a colonial wife.
This novel, set in the interwar years, is filled with wonderful imagery of life in Ceylon. Parties, visits to local markets, the smells and sounds of Asia fill the senses but the author also refers to some of the very real difficulties facing the "native" population. Workers from India and native Sri Lankans work the tea plantations, living destitute lives, and there are undercurrents of political uncertainty and the potential for things to change in an instant.
Against this backdrop Gwen meets other Westerners, including her husband's ex-lover, and his much younger sister who is a mixed up young woman, in love with the wrong person. Gwen's cousin visits and she too falls for the charms of a Sri Lankan man, but again this relationship is frowned up.
After scene setting we move the the main story - there was from the outset a mystery about the dead wife and we are given snippets of information. When Gwen falls pregnant after a party and gives birth to twins her world falls apart, and without revealing spoilers, family history rears it's head once again. She finds it a very difficult time, only consoled by the fact she has her precious son.
The resolution of the story is very interesting and the author provides notes in the back to explain a little how colonial life worked. This was a useful backdrop but best leaving until the book is read! Overall this was an enjoyable read and I'd read novels by the author again.
Gwen is a young British woman who set sails for Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where she's meeting her husband, a widower who's family has owned a tea plantation for many years. She's filled with trepidation but meets a kind Sri Lankan man who directs her to the nearest colonial hotel. Her husband eventually arrives and after a romantic rendevous they travel to the plantation and she immerses herself in the life of a colonial wife.
This novel, set in the interwar years, is filled with wonderful imagery of life in Ceylon. Parties, visits to local markets, the smells and sounds of Asia fill the senses but the author also refers to some of the very real difficulties facing the "native" population. Workers from India and native Sri Lankans work the tea plantations, living destitute lives, and there are undercurrents of political uncertainty and the potential for things to change in an instant.
Against this backdrop Gwen meets other Westerners, including her husband's ex-lover, and his much younger sister who is a mixed up young woman, in love with the wrong person. Gwen's cousin visits and she too falls for the charms of a Sri Lankan man, but again this relationship is frowned up.
After scene setting we move the the main story - there was from the outset a mystery about the dead wife and we are given snippets of information. When Gwen falls pregnant after a party and gives birth to twins her world falls apart, and without revealing spoilers, family history rears it's head once again. She finds it a very difficult time, only consoled by the fact she has her precious son.
The resolution of the story is very interesting and the author provides notes in the back to explain a little how colonial life worked. This was a useful backdrop but best leaving until the book is read! Overall this was an enjoyable read and I'd read novels by the author again.
amymarch12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
lreay89's review against another edition
2.0
This book has a brilliant premise but unfortunately is poorly executed.
In fairness I had figured out what the twist was going to be before it happened which probably didn’t allow me to appreciate this book as I should have done.
I also found all of the characters unlikable.
Gwen cried ALL THE GODDAMN TIME!
Verity was a complete mystery to me. Her behaviour never really being fully explored or reasoned.
McGregor was another character who propped up in the story but was never properly padded out. Almost just there to create a bit of drama that never came to fruition.
Lawrence even though he’s supposedly one of the main characters still remains one dimensional after finishing the book.
The mystery of the marriage (this being the main premise of the novel) once it was explained wasn’t thrilling enough. The tension also felt lacklustre. I never became emotionally involved once whilst reading this book which is a real shame exactly because of the backdrop.
The exploration of race relations in Sri Lanka in between the two world wars is an amazing backdrop which could have been explored so much better.
Unfortunately this book is largely chit lit fiction. I should probably have realised this because of the fact it’s been a Richard and Judy book club nominee.
If your looking for a beach read which won’t invest much of your emotions or time this book will be just the ticket.
Looking for a book which emotionally explores and reasons race relations and human behaviour around those relations then this book is not for you.
I appreciate the time that must have gone into this book it just wasn’t for me.
In fairness I had figured out what the twist was going to be before it happened which probably didn’t allow me to appreciate this book as I should have done.
I also found all of the characters unlikable.
Gwen cried ALL THE GODDAMN TIME!
Verity was a complete mystery to me. Her behaviour never really being fully explored or reasoned.
McGregor was another character who propped up in the story but was never properly padded out. Almost just there to create a bit of drama that never came to fruition.
Lawrence even though he’s supposedly one of the main characters still remains one dimensional after finishing the book.
The mystery of the marriage (this being the main premise of the novel) once it was explained wasn’t thrilling enough. The tension also felt lacklustre. I never became emotionally involved once whilst reading this book which is a real shame exactly because of the backdrop.
The exploration of race relations in Sri Lanka in between the two world wars is an amazing backdrop which could have been explored so much better.
Unfortunately this book is largely chit lit fiction. I should probably have realised this because of the fact it’s been a Richard and Judy book club nominee.
If your looking for a beach read which won’t invest much of your emotions or time this book will be just the ticket.
Looking for a book which emotionally explores and reasons race relations and human behaviour around those relations then this book is not for you.
I appreciate the time that must have gone into this book it just wasn’t for me.
nargis's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.75