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fragglerocker's review against another edition
4.0
More novella than novel, full of lovely writing about a ragtag group living on the Thames in the late 1970s. I'd like to read more novels like this -- where not much happens, but you really feel like you are inhabitating a place and time. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
sage_mage's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
books_and_cha's review against another edition
4.0
“There isn’t one kind of happiness, there’s all kinds. Decision is torment for anyone with imagination. When you decide, you multiply the things you might have done and now never can.”
I read this after finishing Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop. I liked The Bookshop because I was impressed by how Fitzgerald could say so much, with so little, and Offshore is no exception. The book follows the story of people who live in boats on the river Thames. In some ways you can imagine it to be a snapshot of their lives.
We find these characters when they're at a particular pivotal moment in their lives. Nenna is separated from her husband, living with her two daughters on a boat. Richard has a strained marriage. Willis is trying to sell his boat so he can go live with his sister, and darling Maurice is too nice for his own good. There's a lot of change going on for everyone, and I liked reading about how they're all this little family, these people living on the boats.
What I loved about this book was beautifully the story was told. Fitzgerald's writing manages to be witty, poetic, and unrelenting about the harshness of life all at once, and I am in awe.
If you're looking for a short read that packs a lot of depth and its written gorgeously, Fitzgerald's the one to go for.
I read this after finishing Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop. I liked The Bookshop because I was impressed by how Fitzgerald could say so much, with so little, and Offshore is no exception. The book follows the story of people who live in boats on the river Thames. In some ways you can imagine it to be a snapshot of their lives.
We find these characters when they're at a particular pivotal moment in their lives. Nenna is separated from her husband, living with her two daughters on a boat. Richard has a strained marriage. Willis is trying to sell his boat so he can go live with his sister, and darling Maurice is too nice for his own good. There's a lot of change going on for everyone, and I liked reading about how they're all this little family, these people living on the boats.
What I loved about this book was beautifully the story was told. Fitzgerald's writing manages to be witty, poetic, and unrelenting about the harshness of life all at once, and I am in awe.
If you're looking for a short read that packs a lot of depth and its written gorgeously, Fitzgerald's the one to go for.
howardbatey's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
A diverting, and short, book which is well written. Some nice vignettes but just as things start to happen the book finishes. Apparently when this won the Booker Prize there was quite some bafflement at the time, and I tend to agree with that sentiment.
ipasiuk's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bobsamson's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ncghammo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sarah_dietrich's review against another edition
4.75
Woah, what an ending! The first two-thirds were a lovely 4-star read, then the last third put it firmly in 5-star territory.
The story of a group of eccentric lost souls who ended up together by chance. They come together and try to help each other navigate a world that has no patience for eccentricity or disorder.
This book is enormously quotable. My favourite:
“Tilda cared nothing for the future, and had, as a result, a great capacity for happiness.”
The story of a group of eccentric lost souls who ended up together by chance. They come together and try to help each other navigate a world that has no patience for eccentricity or disorder.
This book is enormously quotable. My favourite:
“Tilda cared nothing for the future, and had, as a result, a great capacity for happiness.”