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frannieman's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
zwyrdish's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed this book, for the most part, I thought the ending failed to rise to the occasion. It felt very uninspired and left me a little empty.
melohpa's review
4.0
See my review
http://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2018/01/burning-bright-by-tracy-chevalier_14.html
http://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2018/01/burning-bright-by-tracy-chevalier_14.html
karenleagermain's review against another edition
3.0
I have read all of Chevalier's novels and I think that this might be my least favorite. I still enjoyed it, but I wish that Blake had played a larger role in the story. He was really a minor character. I liked all of the circus stuff and the general feel of the time period.
spinstah's review against another edition
4.0
The best part about having a totally random list of books to read is that sometimes when I pick one of them up, I have forgotten what the topic is and even why I added it to my list.
I really enjoyed this -- set in 1700s London, it follows the story of a family that moves to London from the countryside, and then back to the countryside. They take rooms next door to one William Blake, and their son (and a girl he meets in London) wind up befriending him. I love things like this where someone takes the time to learn about an actual historical figure, and the times in which he or she lived, and then takes that information and weaves a story around it. This story pulled me along quickly, and I thought was interesting -- Blake isn't the focus in the way you might expect - he's one of several wonderful characters who play a supporting role to the two kids mentioned above.
My one thing about this book is that there's a part of the ending that makes me skeptical, but without an indepth knowledge of the social norms of the English countryside at the time, I'm not focusing on it.
I really enjoyed this -- set in 1700s London, it follows the story of a family that moves to London from the countryside, and then back to the countryside. They take rooms next door to one William Blake, and their son (and a girl he meets in London) wind up befriending him. I love things like this where someone takes the time to learn about an actual historical figure, and the times in which he or she lived, and then takes that information and weaves a story around it. This story pulled me along quickly, and I thought was interesting -- Blake isn't the focus in the way you might expect - he's one of several wonderful characters who play a supporting role to the two kids mentioned above.
My one thing about this book is that there's a part of the ending that makes me skeptical, but without an indepth knowledge of the social norms of the English countryside at the time, I'm not focusing on it.
hummeline's review against another edition
1.0
Dreadful. Painful. Inaccurate. Need I say more?
I left it in a hotel room, because I didn't even want to bother to take it home.
I left it in a hotel room, because I didn't even want to bother to take it home.
mousecroghan's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't love it as much as The Girl With The Pearl Earring. Good start and end but middle was boring. Would I recommend it? No. Has it put me off reading hers others? Possibly.
annels789's review against another edition
3.0
Moderately interesting historical fiction. It made me interested enough in William Blake to look him up on Wikipedia . . .
emmamgregory's review against another edition
3.0
A novel set in 18th century London and the time of the novelist William Blake. An easy read that was not bogged down with statistics and too many historical facts yet portrays a picture of London at that time. A slow start but picked up speed in the last two thirds. Overall a good read.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
this takes place from 1792 - 1793 in london. a young boy, Jem Kellaway, and his family, move to London following the death of one of Jem's brothers. his father, Thomas, makes chairs and is invited by Philip Astley who runs a circus. Jem befriends Maggie and together they experience a life of adventure on the streets of london. the neighbor of Jem is the poet and radical William Blake. the children only encounter him a few times during this year, but he teaches treats both with respect and truly listens to their thoughts, and so he becomes a friend. the Blake story takes a backdrop to the story of Maggie and Jem and each of their families. a vividly painted picture of London and the characters of the time period.