Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The White Hare by Jane Johnson

5 reviews

pejms's review

emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Abandonment and War

emory's review

hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Very much enjoyed the writing. I would've liked more character work, but what was there was still nice, just felt rushed. Not sure if the story benefitted from its setting in the 1950s--made quite a few things seem anachronistic. Lovely story overall. I was a bit disappointed with the big reveal, but I loved the story building and the haunting tone. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, War, Physical abuse, Rape, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment

Minor: Cursing, Slavery, and Xenophobia

Small bit spoken by a character who is of mixed race as a result of her slave trading grandparents having children with slaves can be rather upsetting

tamara_joy's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, Murder, Classism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Child abuse

tales_of_1001_books's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.0

 

This entrancing historical fiction takes place in 1954-55, following the story of Mila, a young mother to precocious Janey, and her mother Magda. Mila's relationship with Janey's father has fallen apart and her domineering mother has decided to remove the small family to a neglected manor house in Cornwall, where she plans to open a guest house. But strange things, omens and portents, haunt the family as they begin renovations on the house, starting with a vision of a large white hare as the family first visits the house. 

Deftly woven into the narrative are threads of ancient magic and the White Lady who guards the lands the house stands on, as well as some contemporary history in the post-war years. Mila's character arc is inspiring. She goes from an unsure-of-herself somewhat mousy young mother to a more confident, vibrant woman as she and her daughter come to love the house and the lands they now inhabit. The supporting cast of characters in the village, including the overly pious churchman, the artist/healer couple who continue to honor the old ways, and the intially enigmatic love interest, are all drawn with distinct personalities and contribute to the story seamlessly. 

I really enjoyed escaping with this book and the author obviously knows her homeland of Cornwall, as she describes the natural world in glowing detail and tons of history, from ancient tribes to small village pettiness, from golden torcs to rock carvings, in such a way that I want to hop the next plane across the pond and immerse myself in this world. A highly entertaining book, well written, with lots to keep historical fiction fans turning the pages. Perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

Minor: Forced institutionalization and War

daynacruz01's review

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, and War