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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
very engaging, ending felt a little hasty but overall kept me interested throughout.
This was really bizarre - probably more of a 3.5. I would have liked it more if the writing style wasn't so antiquated; I hate overly long paragraphs. That being said, I enjoyed the ambiguity and supernatural elements (although the ending that was edited out, according to the forward, was actually pretty cool, imo) as well as the "this is nonfiction-maybe" prologue, the multiple POVs, and the macabre Victorian-era Final Destination-type moments. But poor Edith really didn't deserve all that bullying (even from the narrator!) #justiceforEdith
mysterious
reflective
tense
Really interesting and captivating story. I had already seen the film but I don't recall the second half that well and the ending of the book caught me by surprise. Definitely needs a rewatch.
I love stories with open endings and that don't really explain anything - which is to say, they do provide multiple possibilities, whether directly or indirectly, they just don't say which one is right. Many people can read this book and come away with an answer as to what happened, even though the book itself does not give its opinion on it. Much like enduring real-life mysteries, people have their own idea of what happened and that's the answer to them.
That is definitely something I absolutely loved about this book. It's also highly atmospheric, with amazing writing, and not unsubtle in its critique of the rigid, oppressive roles (and clothes) women had to endure, all encapsulated by Appleyard College. That is pretty much what this book is "about" (although I should mention that it is a book - perhaps from being written in the 60s - that falls into the trope of "ugly chubby girl used for ridicule" and "kind good women are also beautiful").
Of course, the events of the mystery itself on the day of the picnic are a highlight, and the writing is highly suspenseful and tense to match, but I also liked the midsection revolving around Michael, Albert and then Irma. Lots to think about here. It's also this section that features a moment that seems to slyly break the fourth wall (not unusual since the narration sometimes falls into a non-fiction style) in which the reader is basically reprimanded for wanting to know about the Hanging Rock. Almost like Lindsay was conscious that we would want to know the solution to the mystery instead of being presented for the rest of the book with its ripple effects on other characters. I chuckled, though for me it was a pleasure to read all that.
I love stories with open endings and that don't really explain anything - which is to say, they do provide multiple possibilities, whether directly or indirectly, they just don't say which one is right. Many people can read this book and come away with an answer as to what happened, even though the book itself does not give its opinion on it. Much like enduring real-life mysteries, people have their own idea of what happened and that's the answer to them.
That is definitely something I absolutely loved about this book. It's also highly atmospheric, with amazing writing, and not unsubtle in its critique of the rigid, oppressive roles (and clothes) women had to endure, all encapsulated by Appleyard College. That is pretty much what this book is "about" (although I should mention that it is a book - perhaps from being written in the 60s - that falls into the trope of "ugly chubby girl used for ridicule" and "kind good women are also beautiful").
Of course, the events of the mystery itself on the day of the picnic are a highlight, and the writing is highly suspenseful and tense to match, but I also liked the midsection revolving around Michael, Albert and then Irma. Lots to think about here. It's also this section that features a moment that seems to slyly break the fourth wall (not unusual since the narration sometimes falls into a non-fiction style) in which the reader is basically reprimanded for wanting to know about the Hanging Rock. Almost like Lindsay was conscious that we would want to know the solution to the mystery instead of being presented for the rest of the book with its ripple effects on other characters. I chuckled, though for me it was a pleasure to read all that.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Nature is beautiful but unflinching and indifferent! Perfectly shows the wonder and horror of the natural world
I didn't fall in love with this, but it was a quick, decent read. I liked the setting and, though it was written in the 1960s, I felt Lindsay did a great job of capturing an early 1900s feel. The characters and their mannerisms felt similar to [a:E.M. Forster|86404|E.M. Forster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1402057803p2/86404.jpg] or [a:Edith Wharton|16|Edith Wharton|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1484512230p2/16.jpg].
It begins with the titular picnic-- Valentine's Day 1900, which in Australia means a lovely summer day, when the girls of Appleyard College for Young Ladies go for a relaxing picnic at Hanging Rock. By the time they are ready to head back to school in the afternoon, three of the girls and one school mistress have gone missing. Yet another girl, Edith, who also left with the missing girls, is found panicked and confused, with no memory of what has happened to her companions.
The story is about the way this mystery affects the school, its headmistress, and the local community. The mystery of the missing girls has far-reaching consequences and touches many different people's lives, with one tragedy after another striking those surrounding it.
I think the main thing preventing me from loving this was that the characters were forgettable. This prevented me from truly becoming immersed in the story and mystery, even while the setting was vivid and the mystery itself intriguing. Wondering what happened to these girls kept me turning pages, though. Was it murder? Was a teacher involved? Did they die from exposure or starvation? Could it have been supernatural?
It begins with the titular picnic-- Valentine's Day 1900, which in Australia means a lovely summer day, when the girls of Appleyard College for Young Ladies go for a relaxing picnic at Hanging Rock. By the time they are ready to head back to school in the afternoon, three of the girls and one school mistress have gone missing. Yet another girl, Edith, who also left with the missing girls, is found panicked and confused, with no memory of what has happened to her companions.
The story is about the way this mystery affects the school, its headmistress, and the local community. The mystery of the missing girls has far-reaching consequences and touches many different people's lives, with one tragedy after another striking those surrounding it.
I think the main thing preventing me from loving this was that the characters were forgettable. This prevented me from truly becoming immersed in the story and mystery, even while the setting was vivid and the mystery itself intriguing. Wondering what happened to these girls kept me turning pages, though. Was it murder? Was a teacher involved? Did they die from exposure or starvation? Could it have been supernatural?
Spoiler
Guess we'll always wonder.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A humorous send-up of boarding school dramas, written in the 1960’s but depicting the early 1900’s. Fizzled out a bit near the end. I wanted it to be weirder and gayer. Next time I’ll just read Shirley Jackson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes