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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
I sympathized with Beatrice and hated her as well, but this was a compelling read. I tried not to think too much about the incest.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
medium-paced
beatrice is literally the worst character i have ever encountered. i hate her so much. but also… how has hbo not picked this up?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Incest, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization
every single relationship in this book is toxic and dangerous and the mean character is actually unhinged
Review - I couldn't get into this novel. I found that none of the characters were at all likeable and it seemed quite boring to be honest. I positively hated Beatrice but I'm not entirely sure why. She seemed so self-centred, and her father didn't help her to accept her place and realise that it was her brother who would rule at Wideacre. This affected the rest of her life and shaped the person that she became. I couldn't finish the book, couldn't even make it halfway.
Genre? - Historical
Characters? - Beatrice Lacey / Harry Lacey / Julia Lacey / Celia Havering / Dr John MacAndrew / Ralph Megson / Richard MacAndrew
Setting? - Wideacre (England)
Series? - Wideacre #1
Recommend? – No
Rating - 8/20
Genre? - Historical
Characters? - Beatrice Lacey / Harry Lacey / Julia Lacey / Celia Havering / Dr John MacAndrew / Ralph Megson / Richard MacAndrew
Setting? - Wideacre (England)
Series? - Wideacre #1
Recommend? – No
Rating - 8/20
An entire story about the villains side. It's rare to see a character with little to no redeeming qualities, but somehow you still want to know what happens. Gregory builds up the story with an increasing amount of dread, and I think this is one of her best novels. Recommended for those who are not squeamish and who are fascinated by the villains in stories.
dark
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wideacre is a novel that makes a majority of readers cringe, but one that has well and truly won me over. I consider this my favourite Philippa Gregory novel. It's such a pity that it is not as well-known as The Other Boleyn Girl, also by the same author.
What I love most about this novel is the complexity of each character. Although the plot is extremely dark and in some instances shocking, you can't argue that Philippa Gregory is not original in her approach. While some readers hate the immoral anti-heroine, Beatrice Lacey, I welcome her like a breath of fresh air.
Be warned this is not your typical historical romance. Beatrice Lacey is a girl with an overwhelming desire to inherit the land her beloved father and ancestors have owned for many generations. Typical of the time period, a woman cannot inherit, therefore the prized land will go to her incapable and disinterested older brother, Harry. A young, distraught Beatrice befriends and later falls in love with the gamekeeper's lad Ralph, and together they hatch an evil plan that will enable them to one day inherit Wideacre, but of course two things stand in their way; Beatrice's father and her brother.
When Ralph takes things a little too far, Beatrice fearing the implications of both their actions takes drastic steps to hide her own involvement. Her questionable choices start the spinning of a web that will soon become her living nightmare.
Forced to do some scheming of her own, and never wavering in her desire to own the land, an older Beatrice discovers that with her beauty and sexual prowess she is capable of seducing and manipulating any man she meets, including that of her own brother.
I found it difficult to put this book down. Every decision that Beatrice makes seems to dig her deeper and deeper into trouble, causing her to become more callous and more power-hungry as time goes on. Although a hateful character, you do tend to feel sorry for her.
I would love to see Wideacre adapted into a film. As controversial as it may be it would allow for some electrifying characterisations.
What I love most about this novel is the complexity of each character. Although the plot is extremely dark and in some instances shocking, you can't argue that Philippa Gregory is not original in her approach. While some readers hate the immoral anti-heroine, Beatrice Lacey, I welcome her like a breath of fresh air.
Be warned this is not your typical historical romance. Beatrice Lacey is a girl with an overwhelming desire to inherit the land her beloved father and ancestors have owned for many generations. Typical of the time period, a woman cannot inherit, therefore the prized land will go to her incapable and disinterested older brother, Harry. A young, distraught Beatrice befriends and later falls in love with the gamekeeper's lad Ralph, and together they hatch an evil plan that will enable them to one day inherit Wideacre, but of course two things stand in their way; Beatrice's father and her brother.
When Ralph takes things a little too far, Beatrice fearing the implications of both their actions takes drastic steps to hide her own involvement. Her questionable choices start the spinning of a web that will soon become her living nightmare.
Forced to do some scheming of her own, and never wavering in her desire to own the land, an older Beatrice discovers that with her beauty and sexual prowess she is capable of seducing and manipulating any man she meets, including that of her own brother.
I found it difficult to put this book down. Every decision that Beatrice makes seems to dig her deeper and deeper into trouble, causing her to become more callous and more power-hungry as time goes on. Although a hateful character, you do tend to feel sorry for her.
I would love to see Wideacre adapted into a film. As controversial as it may be it would allow for some electrifying characterisations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infertility, Infidelity
Found the protagonist frustrating and too dislikable to care about her story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Murder