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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
I wanted to like this more as I have trouble finding good historical fiction based in the 18th century alas it was not as I hoped. I had good hopes for this novel as the librarian who helped me find it said it was one of her favorite books. Well, ma'am, I no longer trust your judgement in books.
I enjoyed the first part of it but as Beatrice grew up she got crazier and crazier. I understand she wanted to own Wideacre but still, come on. I liked all the characters a vast amount more than I liked her. I wanted to root for her as I understood the laws that she was fighting against but the methods she used to get what she wanted are unspeakable.
It also didn't help that Gregory didn't use accurate descriptions in her wardrobe so along with Beatrice pissing me off I had the author writing that the silk and velvet were against her bare skin. Lies I tell you, lies.
I enjoyed the first part of it but as Beatrice grew up she got crazier and crazier. I understand she wanted to own Wideacre but still, come on. I liked all the characters a vast amount more than I liked her. I wanted to root for her as I understood the laws that she was fighting against but the methods she used to get what she wanted are unspeakable.
It also didn't help that Gregory didn't use accurate descriptions in her wardrobe so along with Beatrice pissing me off I had the author writing that the silk and velvet were against her bare skin. Lies I tell you, lies.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am pleased that this one was free on my BorrowBox app, it’s rare that I don’t finish a book but this one was a struggle.
I have read other Phillippa Gregory books and enjoyed them and I thought about giving this one a little longer but after reading other reviews decided to give up now. I found the characters in the book very difficult to connect to and extremely unpleasant and whilst I admire Phillippa Gregory’s portrayal of women’s experiences in history this one just isn’t for me.
I have read other Phillippa Gregory books and enjoyed them and I thought about giving this one a little longer but after reading other reviews decided to give up now. I found the characters in the book very difficult to connect to and extremely unpleasant and whilst I admire Phillippa Gregory’s portrayal of women’s experiences in history this one just isn’t for me.
While it's not as great as her Tudor series or The White Queen, Wideacre has a good deal of Gregory's stunning imagery and dark story twists. I'm looking forward to reading the second one...since The Red Queen isn't out for a few more days ;-)
Wtf did I read?! And why was it so addictive that I finished it in a day?
Writing is lush and magical. Story and characters are extremely unsettling.
Writing is lush and magical. Story and characters are extremely unsettling.
What a fascinating example of an unreliable narrator. The main charater in this novel is undeniably the villain of the piece, but because we are in her head the whole time, we know she never thinks so.
It's a sick, twisted book, but Philippa Gregory's style remains as engrossing as ever.
It's a sick, twisted book, but Philippa Gregory's style remains as engrossing as ever.
Dnf chapter 11 (almost 1/2 way) via audiobook.
Wth! Beatrice is craaazzzzzy!! Like shes WAY TOO obsessed with the land and house. So I understood the forward Phillipa wrote and it shows what she wrote (first person, horses, homes of family experience) for the story. But it's too much. I hated Beatrice, too annoying and I had a hard time being stuck in her head.
When Beatrice smacked Harry's d*@k I lost it! Like what?!!!
The narrator sounded too whiney for me (even given the length of audio). I couldn't torture myself anymore.
After seeing reviews for others in the series I just better quit now.
Wth! Beatrice is craaazzzzzy!! Like shes WAY TOO obsessed with the land and house. So I understood the forward Phillipa wrote and it shows what she wrote (first person, horses, homes of family experience) for the story. But it's too much. I hated Beatrice, too annoying and I had a hard time being stuck in her head.
When Beatrice smacked Harry's d*@k I lost it! Like what?!!!
The narrator sounded too whiney for me (even given the length of audio). I couldn't torture myself anymore.
After seeing reviews for others in the series I just better quit now.
Call me crazy, but for some reason a child who engages in murder and incest is not really a story I feel a need to delve deeply into. Couldn’t finish this book, horrendous story. Can’t believe we’re supposed to consider the central character as a heroine .
This book was disappointing after the awesome Tudor Court books. It could have ended WAY before it did. Hopefully book two in this series will be better.