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crondeau_yvr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very enjoyable and lovely story. I’m not sure I understood the last chapter at the end and didn’t care for it, but otherwise, well worth it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
jencolumb0's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
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? No
4.25
I had the luck of reading Room With a View just before happening to pick this one up and I am so thrilled that I did. It made Winman’s play off EM Forester that much more delightful (and made the time I spent with his incredibly unlikeable characters quite worthwhile). Even if you’ve read Room with a View, it’s worth re-reading before you pick this one up, just to get the full breadth of the conversation Winman is having.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Car accident, and Abortion
jcinf's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Not a bad book by any means. Just very slow. At some points, nothing happened at all. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but I need a stronger plot to keep me engaged.
Though, I will say that it was a relaxing read. Lowkey, enjoyable, with a few bits of wisdom scattered throughout.
Reminded me of my time in Florence for sure. Made me nostalgic in the best way. Made me hope my future is a lot like Evelyn’s.
Though, I will say that it was a relaxing read. Lowkey, enjoyable, with a few bits of wisdom scattered throughout.
Reminded me of my time in Florence for sure. Made me nostalgic in the best way. Made me hope my future is a lot like Evelyn’s.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia and Abortion
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don't quite get why everyone loves this book so much.
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Murder