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emski21's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
A wistful, funny, tragic look back at a crumbling aristocratic family and a lost era that's both deeply readable and thematically challenging. I feel like there's still so much to unpack with this! I especially enjoyed the Oxford-set sections, the sharp dialogue, and the society drama
gadicohen93's review against another edition
4.0
With all of its flaws, this book's managed to worm its way into my heart. I read 95% of it on a 9-hour flight, with some significant chunks missing due to meals/sleep/walking around. I felt the style similar to Wuthering Heights, now that I think about it--reflecting back years later on past tragedies, removed from them, from their characters, but not from their settings, and in the darkness of the English countryside no less.
I liked Charles a lot as a protagonist. I trusted him, even though his sexuality confused me, and I had no idea why he liked Sebastian. Maybe that's the reason the book failed to totally entrance me until about halfway through. I don't know what happened to make me like it so much toward the end--maybe a shift in style, or the decline of Sebastian. I don't know. I just know, though, that the rest of the book was totally awesome and hilarious at times and insightful and others.
I'm warning, though, of a long, slow beginning.
I liked Charles a lot as a protagonist. I trusted him, even though his sexuality confused me, and I had no idea why he liked Sebastian. Maybe that's the reason the book failed to totally entrance me until about halfway through. I don't know what happened to make me like it so much toward the end--maybe a shift in style, or the decline of Sebastian. I don't know. I just know, though, that the rest of the book was totally awesome and hilarious at times and insightful and others.
I'm warning, though, of a long, slow beginning.
nataliejglasper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
leya05's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
merylm's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
shreyyyy's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
eviereadsallthetime's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katiebhastings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.5