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md3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicide, Death, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Blood, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Gun violence
mayab56's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: War, Misogyny, Child death, Mental illness, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
rubymajor's review against another edition
3.75
The book definitely wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I picked it up expecting a more of a fantasy/magical realism book, but it turned out to be more of a historical fiction with a sprinkling of magical realism. Coming from that perspective, I was pretty disappointed that the magic of the bookshop was largely ignored or glossed over. It seemed more of an extraneous detail, had you taken it away I don't think it would have changed the overall story much. I would have really liked to have read more about the bookshop and how the magic of it worked, where it came from, etc.
That being said, I think if I had picked this up expecting more of a historical fiction, I would have been enchanted by the subtle hints of magic and whimsy. It this sense, I would say it's a cozy, whimsical book perfect for casual reading by a fire with some tea - it just gives off those vibes. In between there is some truly beautiful writing and some fabulous tidbits of women finding and owning their power in a time and world that doesn't value them. The author's love of books is obvious, not only in the characters love of books, but in the many wonderful quotes about the power of books and stories. I thought that the 3 POV's and dual timelines were very skillfully intertwined, and I really enjoyed finding all the little connections as we alternated between them.
My biggest complaint though:
Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Child death, Mental illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
moxiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and War
divingbelle's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Murder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
town_scar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Physical abuse, Death, Child death, and Misogyny
Moderate: War, Mental illness, Stalking, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Grief
corriejn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Alcoholism, War, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide
staceyinthesticks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, War, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Child death, Gun violence, and Violence
sarahbsews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, War, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, and Murder
helenaramsay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The pacing is good, with lots of interesting plot covering different timelines and themes in there without feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The tone is friendly and not pretentious or patronising, making it easy to read and switch between character perspectives without whiplash. The writing isn't a masterpiece, but not everything has to be, and this book feels like a really nice getaway from the try hard, complicated, tragedy driven stories of modern prize-winners hoping to become instant classics.
Overall, very enjoyable. A simple, pleasant read, a great book to curl up and read in a blanket with a cup of tea.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and War