Reviews

Uncle Paul by Celia Fremlin

carlat22's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was tense at times, but there was also plenty of humour throughout. The descriptions of people and situations during the 'holiday' were vivid and fun. A super mix of humour and threat, that kept me wondering whether the threat was real, up to the end.

aberdeenwaters's review against another edition

5.0

I’m a little shocked I had never heard of Celia Fremlin. I heard her described as the “British Patricia Highsmith” on a BBC radio program and I knew I had to read her.

This was a great read. I loved the way she wrote about silence, the play between darkness and light, and the weather. As the book was coming to a close, I jumped between a few different endings I thought might happen. And oddly enough, I feel like this could be a great stage play: 3 or so locations, lots of suspense. I’ll be reading more of her.

cherylhutton79's review

fast-paced

4.75

dejaentendu's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

helenh1975's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

shauna_lacey's review

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

This is the slowest “thriller” I have ever read. People comparing this to Agatha Christie is laughable. None of the  characters were likeable and nothing happens until the last 40 pages when everything happens at once. The ending is just so unsatisfying. It is 5 hours of my life I will never get back. 

rozzyreads's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

willowcat's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

bookish_arcadia's review

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

niamhzorina's review

funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A different ending than expected! The whole book was less mystery driven than I thought it would be but it made it more interesting. I enjoyed experiencing the relationship between the three sisters and the different lives they lead.