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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This took me longer than I wanted it to, but I anticipated that. I started off really slow and kind of dreaded reading it, finding it a bit dull and hard to get through. After about a week though, I was getting through it much quicker and became very attached to the characters. I enjoyed seeing how times changing affected/did not affect the twins. I cried at the end but I don’t think I’d be quick to recommend this book as it’s quite niche. For the wrong person this could cause a bad reading rut… I also think that the deeper meanings that Chatwin was trying to get across maybe skipped over my head because I have little knowledge of them in that context. E.g. the second to last chapter at the Harvest church service, or the symbolism of Benjamin being a conscientious objector. I’d guess I’m not the target audience but enjoyed nonetheless once I got into the swing of it.
This is the story of identical twins Lewis and Benjamin and their curious life on an isolated farm in the shadow of The Black Hills on the border between England and Wales. It opens in 1979 as they live their isolated life in the farmhouse they have lived in since their birth at the turn of the 20th century.
The book then details their life through the century and the events and people that shape their story. This includes the strange romance of their parents and the life of a mother who despite intelligence and prospects marries beneath her the husband who becomes increasingly frustrated by his life and takes it out on his wife. As children the twins are inseparable but their characters emerge and perhaps the interesting part of the story is how one twin Benjamin frustrates his brothers opportunities for an independent life particularly as they become aware of girls. Their part in world war one is sad as the choice Benjamin makes after forced conscription has greater impact on their isolation. As theygrow older a nephew emerges and both old and new characters develop and the stories intertwine with poignancy and comedy .
Overall it is a very readable book which I rattled through and there were scenes and characters that stood out. The writer created a vivid sense of place and it was definitely a book that I enjoyed. Perhaps at times however I felt a little distant from the story and the tale lacked an emotional attachment which meant at the conclusion I had enjoyed the read but didn't feel lost without the characters when I put the book down. It did however make me want to explore more by Chatwin a travel writer who I read in the 1980's 'How did I get here' and whose life sory would make interesting reading.
The book then details their life through the century and the events and people that shape their story. This includes the strange romance of their parents and the life of a mother who despite intelligence and prospects marries beneath her the husband who becomes increasingly frustrated by his life and takes it out on his wife. As children the twins are inseparable but their characters emerge and perhaps the interesting part of the story is how one twin Benjamin frustrates his brothers opportunities for an independent life particularly as they become aware of girls. Their part in world war one is sad as the choice Benjamin makes after forced conscription has greater impact on their isolation. As theygrow older a nephew emerges and both old and new characters develop and the stories intertwine with poignancy and comedy .
Overall it is a very readable book which I rattled through and there were scenes and characters that stood out. The writer created a vivid sense of place and it was definitely a book that I enjoyed. Perhaps at times however I felt a little distant from the story and the tale lacked an emotional attachment which meant at the conclusion I had enjoyed the read but didn't feel lost without the characters when I put the book down. It did however make me want to explore more by Chatwin a travel writer who I read in the 1980's 'How did I get here' and whose life sory would make interesting reading.
Loved it. Probably in my top 5 novels of all time. It's so readable, so simple, yet complex and bleak.
Unfortunately I found he characters rather stale and hard to relate to, apart from not being explored enough. Besides, the narrative seems to go on without presenting any real obstacles or ups-and-downs. I think the story moved too fast and without enough details for the number of characters and the size of the book.
Flew through this in a day on a holiday at the foot of the Black Hill referenced in the title. An absolutely beautiful book, the best thing I’ve read in quite some time.
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No