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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.
hoserlauren's review against another edition
3.0
In 18th century England, Thomas Kellaway and his family decide to move to London to put behind some painful memories of losing their son and try to take advantage of an opportunity with the circus. Kellaway and his son Jem are carpenters, specializing in making chairs. They end up living next door to William Blake, a poet and engraver that sympathizes with the French. Jem makes friends with another girl his age, Maggie, who has lived in London her entire life and is the daugther of a wheeler and dealer who tries to sell anything to anyone.
This book doesn't give an in-depth look at Blake's life, as he plays a secondary character, but we do learn a little of his poetry and perhaps of its origins. As far as character studies go from usual Chevalier books, I feel like we only skimmed the surface with Blake. I didn't really learn much about him aside from the fact that he engraved, he wrote poems, he was on the French's side, and he seemed to like children. More details would have been appreciated.
The lack of a strong theme was a big problem for this story. It didn't seem to be about much, which made it a slow and rather unsatisfying read. This is my least favourite book that I've read by Chevalier so far.
This book doesn't give an in-depth look at Blake's life, as he plays a secondary character, but we do learn a little of his poetry and perhaps of its origins. As far as character studies go from usual Chevalier books, I feel like we only skimmed the surface with Blake. I didn't really learn much about him aside from the fact that he engraved, he wrote poems, he was on the French's side, and he seemed to like children. More details would have been appreciated.
The lack of a strong theme was a big problem for this story. It didn't seem to be about much, which made it a slow and rather unsatisfying read. This is my least favourite book that I've read by Chevalier so far.
jwsg's review against another edition
3.0
Reading Tracy Chevalier kind of reminds me of reading Maeve Binchy when I was in secondary school. Your start of with a book you really love, one that makes you want to get your hands on everything the author has ever written (Girl with a Pearl Earring in Chevalier's case, Circle of Friends with Binchy) but by the 3rd or 4th book, you're just reading it because, well, you've read all the other books to date but the magic just isn't there any more.
_stephp's review against another edition
2.0
How slow was this reading ! I just couldn't get into it ! And yet, I liked it...
Jem arrives in 18th century London with his family after the tragic death of his brother.
His father comes to work for a circus man. They settled just behind the circus, and it happens that their neighbor is William Blake. Jem meets Maggie, a young girl of his age, and a special bond immediately links them.
It was great to discover the Victorian London, it was great to read Blake's poetry (though I didn't understand everything, as a French reader), and it was great to witness the special relation the two characters have built.
But a lot of side stories were useless for the main plot, in my opinion.
So, it's a balanced review, with mixed feelings...
Jem arrives in 18th century London with his family after the tragic death of his brother.
His father comes to work for a circus man. They settled just behind the circus, and it happens that their neighbor is William Blake. Jem meets Maggie, a young girl of his age, and a special bond immediately links them.
It was great to discover the Victorian London, it was great to read Blake's poetry (though I didn't understand everything, as a French reader), and it was great to witness the special relation the two characters have built.
But a lot of side stories were useless for the main plot, in my opinion.
So, it's a balanced review, with mixed feelings...
pixie_d's review against another edition
4.0
You might think a book about kids who live next to William Blake and his wife would be silly, but it wasn't. I really got a sense of what it would have been like to live there and then.
ardaigle's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first that I have read of Tracy Chevalier's work. I enjoyed it. I found it to be an easy read: simple and straightforward. The bits about William Blake were interesting, but I did not find that they elevated the novel to any degree. I did not find a lot of depth in this book, but after reading Olive Kitteridge it was nice to have something sweet and basic.
pianorunner421's review against another edition
3.0
While I didn't dislike this book, it did not grab me like so many others by Tracy Chavalier have. I don't know if it is because I was less familiar with William Blake or if it is because he doesn't really play a starring role in this book. I found myself mostly indifferent about the characters and the plot.
narniaru's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed the story and it was all in vivid detail, I felt the voice for the "children" was too young. They were meant to be older than 15, but I felt like I was looking through the eyes of much younger children
wglass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
holmfridurhp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
5.0