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joyfromhope's review against another edition
3.0
Overall this book was enjoyable but not great - I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. I loved the historical accuracy, and the information about what it was like on the home front during WWII. However, the story follows a few different characters and I didn't really feel like things were resolved for most of them. When I got to the last page, I was pretty confused because it just felt unfinished/hurried like the author was passed her publishing deadline and just needed to get it turned in.
For historical information: 4 stars+
For actual story: 3 stars
For historical information: 4 stars+
For actual story: 3 stars
bookstorian's review against another edition
2.0
Snore. I really had nothing else with me to read while I was away so a soldiered on. However it really was just to add it to my read list.
I initially this was added to my TBR when I heard about the movie, the female protagonist and the setting (England WWII). I was mostly disappointed with these read. I think the reason was due to being so disconnected from the characters and not really being invested in the situations and relationships associated with them. I didn't really care about the ending.
I initially this was added to my TBR when I heard about the movie, the female protagonist and the setting (England WWII). I was mostly disappointed with these read. I think the reason was due to being so disconnected from the characters and not really being invested in the situations and relationships associated with them. I didn't really care about the ending.
flogigyahoo's review against another edition
5.0
A lighthearted book about terrible times, WW II in England. Lissa Evans can be witty and at times downright funny, but when she describes war torn England she gets very serious. Catrin Cole joins the Ministry of Information during the war and is sent to type drafts of public service movie shorts. One of her ideas is brought to the attention of a higher up and metamorphoses into a complete movie for the war effort. We meet Ambrose Hilliard, an old washed up actor unable to accept that he's a has been, his agent, Sammy Smith, Arthur Firth, shy, totally hopeless, appointed adviser of military affairs since he was at Dunkirk, Edith, a seamstress at Madame Tussaud's when it is bombed, and who by chance becomes the clothing adviser on the movie set, Mr Buckley, Catrin's boss, who has some of the best lines in the novel. One of the funniest scenes is Ambrose, commanding a dog he detests on the movie set. What a novel. Recommended.
samstillreading's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not really sure what it is about this book, but something just didn't seem to work for me. Maybe it was that the blurb on the back makes it seem that it's all about Catrin when really, she's not the main character but just one along with Edith and Ambrose. Maybe it's that you couldn't see the characters linking up until halfway through. Perhaps it's the lack of description and horror of bomb strewn London. I just know that I wanted to desperately like this (out of a sense of patriotism perhaps?) but it didn't come together.
The idea of making a positive wartime English film as a plot is great but the characters seem to come off as cold, in particular Catrin. Perhaps it's a stiff upper lip. Ambrose was probably the highlight of this book. It seems a little unfinished, rough around the edges.
The idea of making a positive wartime English film as a plot is great but the characters seem to come off as cold, in particular Catrin. Perhaps it's a stiff upper lip. Ambrose was probably the highlight of this book. It seems a little unfinished, rough around the edges.
paulinib's review against another edition
3.0
It was hard to rate this book as loved the first half, but began to resent the book as I got further in...
The first half of the book was great, I was invested in the characters, the story was enough to keep me hooked without being too intense or heavy and it was an easy enjoyable read.
However I found the book started to drag, maybe there were just too many interlocked stories that were taking too long to solve, but I just lost interest as the story stalled but carried on and on and on and on.
The first half of the book was great, I was invested in the characters, the story was enough to keep me hooked without being too intense or heavy and it was an easy enjoyable read.
However I found the book started to drag, maybe there were just too many interlocked stories that were taking too long to solve, but I just lost interest as the story stalled but carried on and on and on and on.
essentiallymeagan's review against another edition
3.0
I found it hard to follow this book. Admittedly I have been distracted over the past couple of weeks but I never got into the story. I think the fact that the chapters are hundreds of pages long didn't help. I needed more chapter breaks.
mariakureads's review against another edition
4.0
a bit of a slow start but it picks up beautifully and was a delight to read.
The ensemble of characters were varied in traits and provided different voices to the book but Catrin, I feel, is the closest thing to a protagonist as I kept reading.
I loved the snipets of the film script that was peppered throughout to drive the point that there was a film being made and how the ensemble worked in and around the film.
The ensemble of characters were varied in traits and provided different voices to the book but Catrin, I feel, is the closest thing to a protagonist as I kept reading.
I loved the snipets of the film script that was peppered throughout to drive the point that there was a film being made and how the ensemble worked in and around the film.
dazzle's review against another edition
3.0
Right, well, my overall thoughts is that I have enjoyed it. It was interesting and enjoyable. You see a variety of characters through the book that are all very different, with different experiences and it made for an interesting read.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the structure. You see what happens to a good variety of characters but you don't spend an awful lot of time with the characters. The structure also means you go through a long period of time but only see snippets of their life. It didn't allow for me to get attached to the characters, which is necessary for me because I am an emotional reader.
Can we also talk about how that thing that happened towards the end with the water tank...yeah, I didn't really understand the necessity of that and I'm a sucker for a happy ending so I didn't like it. But there we go. If you're interested in the premise I definitely recommend giving it a go. I enjoyed it enough that I still want to see the movie adaptation.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the structure. You see what happens to a good variety of characters but you don't spend an awful lot of time with the characters. The structure also means you go through a long period of time but only see snippets of their life. It didn't allow for me to get attached to the characters, which is necessary for me because I am an emotional reader.
Can we also talk about how that thing that happened towards the end with the water tank...yeah, I didn't really understand the necessity of that and I'm a sucker for a happy ending so I didn't like it. But there we go. If you're interested in the premise I definitely recommend giving it a go. I enjoyed it enough that I still want to see the movie adaptation.
jenne's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like it was taking a frustratingly long time setting everything up...and then just when I started really getting into it--good people triumphing! others getting their comeuppances! working together and getting shit done!--it all wrapped up way too fast, like when you realize your lunch break is already over and you didn't get to finish your dessert.