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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
Had to read this book for my literature class. Interesting premise, poor execution in my opinion. I have never had such little care for characters I've been reading about. Most of the characters feel extremely surface level and the book is extremely boring.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
One of my all-time favourite books. Although this was my tenth (maybe more) reread of this gem, I was shocked at how many new details I picked up this time. The cast of characters is always more extensive than I remember, their thoughts and threads of being so part of the rich tapestry that is the mystery itself.
The subtext is gorgeous (and, to be honest, really darn gay in some places - Mike and Albert I'm looking at you) and that just makes every reread all the more compelling. It's a book that doesn't give answers. It's a story that, itself, feels like a dream - separated from reality by a gossamer-thin veil. It's beautiful. It's haunting. It's the sort of tale that clouds the mind and transports you, so that you are there as the schoolgirls ascend the rock, there when hysteria sets in, there as the ripples of the tragedy grow and swell, capturing each character and deciding their fates.
I could speak endlessly about how much I love this story and what it means to me, but to try to succinctly put my feelings in words seems all but impossible. Much like the book itself, they're fragmented, spider-silk, the last petals falling from a jacaranda - a jumble of beauty, feverish and incorporeal.
I hold this book close to my heart for a reason - it's everything I want from a book and more.
The subtext is gorgeous (and, to be honest, really darn gay in some places - Mike and Albert I'm looking at you) and that just makes every reread all the more compelling. It's a book that doesn't give answers. It's a story that, itself, feels like a dream - separated from reality by a gossamer-thin veil. It's beautiful. It's haunting. It's the sort of tale that clouds the mind and transports you, so that you are there as the schoolgirls ascend the rock, there when hysteria sets in, there as the ripples of the tragedy grow and swell, capturing each character and deciding their fates.
I could speak endlessly about how much I love this story and what it means to me, but to try to succinctly put my feelings in words seems all but impossible. Much like the book itself, they're fragmented, spider-silk, the last petals falling from a jacaranda - a jumble of beauty, feverish and incorporeal.
I hold this book close to my heart for a reason - it's everything I want from a book and more.
The foreword by Maile Meloy was filled with some interesting back history about this book. In regards to how the author came up with the concept for the story and the "famous" ending to this story. Which I have to say, I am mixed in regards to my feelings on the ending. On one hand I thought the concept for the true ending was intriguing but at the same time, I found the missing ending to provide more intrigue and I liked that it left the ending to the imagination of the reader.
While, I did find this story interesting, I found the characters only mildly interesting themselves. There were not one character that I really connected with. Thus it kept me from truly committing to this story all the way. Despite all of this, I did find this book to be a quick read. Additionally, I want to check out the movie that this book inspired.
While, I did find this story interesting, I found the characters only mildly interesting themselves. There were not one character that I really connected with. Thus it kept me from truly committing to this story all the way. Despite all of this, I did find this book to be a quick read. Additionally, I want to check out the movie that this book inspired.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is such a famous book and something I had never read so I decided it was time. I love the premise of this story and at the start I was invested. But as it went on I just found it so boring. It was so wordy and just went on many tangents that I didn’t see to be necessary. I really thought about giving up many times but every review assured the ending was worth it. It really wasn’t!
Not sure the book aged super well. If it had been half the size with just the main story I think it would have been a lot better
the premise of an australian gothic sounded interesting, and the first chapter was sapphic enough to get me invested in the college, but the middle drags on for so long dude omg
idk i might finish it at some point it’s pretty short but right now. i just can’t be bothered
i never dnf books but like. im so busy this year i want to spend the time i have for reading truly enjoying every word. sorry joan :(
idk i might finish it at some point it’s pretty short but right now. i just can’t be bothered
i never dnf books but like. im so busy this year i want to spend the time i have for reading truly enjoying every word. sorry joan :(
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rating: 5/5
Ruthless, dreamy, not a thriller nor horror nor mystery and yet somehow all three at the same time. Tragedy soundless smothered by life. What cannot survive in a strict Victorian grip must then exit.
Honestly, just breaks my heart.
Ruthless, dreamy, not a thriller nor horror nor mystery and yet somehow all three at the same time. Tragedy soundless smothered by life. What cannot survive in a strict Victorian grip must then exit.
Honestly, just breaks my heart.