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klausington's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
essjay1's review against another edition
4.0
Freya is a wonderful character and I enjoyed the way the friendship was central to the story. A little long for my liking but I listened to the audio and this worked well for me with this book.
georginadaw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bianca89279's review against another edition
4.0
Freya is a young woman in the post-war United Kingdom, who managed to get into Oxford University, a very traditional, male-dominated tertiary institution. The war has opened new avenues for women, not that it suddenly became easy.
Freya is beautiful, speaks her mind and goes for what she wants. Her best friend, Nancy, worships her, although Freya turns out not to be such a good friend.
There are some romantic entanglements. Also, males taking advantage of women, and women using their charms to get what they want. The double standards are everywhere. Women are expected to be married and have babies. The so-called career women are anomalies. The changing times, morals and expectations come into play. Life is complicated. So is Freya, who doesn’t seem to be too self-aware, but she’s bull-headed about what she wants.
This novel had a very British feel about it. I particularly liked the post-war era, the descriptions felt very real. I didn’t love Freya, but I got her, I’m pretty sure I’ve known people like her. The tone was a bit off at times, I can't quite explain it.
I generally enjoyed this novel, although, I do feel it was a tad too long (as in 50 – 100 pages too long).
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Freya is beautiful, speaks her mind and goes for what she wants. Her best friend, Nancy, worships her, although Freya turns out not to be such a good friend.
There are some romantic entanglements. Also, males taking advantage of women, and women using their charms to get what they want. The double standards are everywhere. Women are expected to be married and have babies. The so-called career women are anomalies. The changing times, morals and expectations come into play. Life is complicated. So is Freya, who doesn’t seem to be too self-aware, but she’s bull-headed about what she wants.
This novel had a very British feel about it. I particularly liked the post-war era, the descriptions felt very real. I didn’t love Freya, but I got her, I’m pretty sure I’ve known people like her. The tone was a bit off at times, I can't quite explain it.
I generally enjoyed this novel, although, I do feel it was a tad too long (as in 50 – 100 pages too long).
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
richardpierce's review against another edition
5.0
Hard to believe this is written by a man. The female voices are strong and real, the sentiments similarly so. Published in 2017 the immediately post-war narrative reflects the traumas and division the UK is going through in 2019, and shows in great detail how politicians will look after themselves at all costs. One of my best reads of 2019.
ohnoflora's review against another edition
4.0
Reading Anthony Quinn is a delight. Like Sarah Waters, he has the knack of slipping into period idiom in a way that appears effortless and he has a breezy style that zips along despite the length of this book.
He also seems genuinely interested in his characters. Freya (the character) is infuriating: self-righteous, arrogant, thoughtless, prone to grandstanding and the odd bit of self-sabotage. And yet we are interested in her - we want to spend time with her - partly, I think, because Quinn is interested in her too.
Freya (the book) lacks the deliciousness of [b:Curtain Call|23347053|Curtain Call|Anthony Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415297485s/23347053.jpg|42905540] and it falters in its final third in which too much happens in too short a time. However, it is an engrossing character study and celebration of those pioneering 20th century women who fought to be recognised, were sometimes thwarted, but carried on regardless.
He also seems genuinely interested in his characters. Freya (the character) is infuriating: self-righteous, arrogant, thoughtless, prone to grandstanding and the odd bit of self-sabotage. And yet we are interested in her - we want to spend time with her - partly, I think, because Quinn is interested in her too.
Freya (the book) lacks the deliciousness of [b:Curtain Call|23347053|Curtain Call|Anthony Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415297485s/23347053.jpg|42905540] and it falters in its final third in which too much happens in too short a time. However, it is an engrossing character study and celebration of those pioneering 20th century women who fought to be recognised, were sometimes thwarted, but carried on regardless.
avalydia's review against another edition
4.0
Normally the whole "female friendship spanning decades" trope completely turns me off of a book, but that cover photography caught my eye, and when I glanced through the first few pages the writing hooked me enough to make me want to give Freya a try - and I'm so glad I did! This was an excellent novel and the characters were so vivid, I really felt like I had grown up with them during their adult years.
The only slight criticism that I have is that the last third of the act felt a bit crammed and somewhat rushed, but I was satisfied with the resolution.
Will definitely be adding this book to my personal library.
The only slight criticism that I have is that the last third of the act felt a bit crammed and somewhat rushed, but I was satisfied with the resolution.
Will definitely be adding this book to my personal library.
lizziea229's review against another edition
2.0
A 'strong independent woman' story written by a man. What did I expect?
I'll give Quinn credit for drawing me into the story, into SOME of the characters (the male ones only), and into BITS of political drama.
But I noticed very early on that the reason this book was giving me fanfiction vibes was that the dialogue from the female characters (selfish shit-friend Freya and wet wipe Nancy) was so.... SHIT! The male characters, the three dimensional, interesting, well-written men such as Nat, Jimmy, Robert, Stephan.... they got all the best lines, the most thought-out monologues, beautiful little musings... the women all sounded as though they were written by a 12 year old. I'm not sure Anthony Quinn has ever met a woman he's actually liked.
I'll give Quinn credit for drawing me into the story, into SOME of the characters (the male ones only), and into BITS of political drama.
But I noticed very early on that the reason this book was giving me fanfiction vibes was that the dialogue from the female characters (selfish shit-friend Freya and wet wipe Nancy) was so.... SHIT! The male characters, the three dimensional, interesting, well-written men such as Nat, Jimmy, Robert, Stephan.... they got all the best lines, the most thought-out monologues, beautiful little musings... the women all sounded as though they were written by a 12 year old. I'm not sure Anthony Quinn has ever met a woman he's actually liked.
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
Half of the Human Race is more of the best books I have read in recent years and I have enjoyed most of the other books that Quinn has written and this had some great moments, the character of Freya is jaunty and fresh, but over-all it did not grab me like the other books, the language does not seem as inventive or challenging it seems actually quite normal and it did not have me pausing to think about the way the passage was constructed or the meaning of it all.
It may not be fair to compare his works, but I have and this one, not as good as the earlier works.
It may not be fair to compare his works, but I have and this one, not as good as the earlier works.