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natanidae's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Domestic abuse, Death, and Murder
Minor: Child death
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can't tell if this was slow to start or if I just wasn't gripped straight away, but I read the first half in a week and the second half in one day, because by the end I could not put it down. It's beautifully written and sets a contemplative tone - with the constant theme of what impact, if any, we as individuals have on the world while we're alive. It's a clever device that also kept me thinking about the central mystery, and its impact on the lives of Florence, Elsie and everyone they encountered.
I loved the narrative structure, which jumps between Florence's story interspersed with chapters for a couple of minor characters, and a separate time where Florence is waiting for help in her apartment. These chapter headings just showed the time, and its progression was quite unnerving as I was desperate for someone to arrive.
Throughout the story the passage of time and our significance in it is a constant theme, with so many allusions to clocks, the position of the sun and the changing weather/seasons. As Florence and Elsie's past was slowly revealed I was increasingly gripped, and the ending absolutely threw me for a loop - leaving me keen to go straight back and re-read the entire book again.
A stunning book with a lot of sadness, but somehow filled with hope and beauty thanks to its wonderful characters.
I loved the narrative structure, which jumps between Florence's story interspersed with chapters for a couple of minor characters, and a separate time where Florence is waiting for help in her apartment. These chapter headings just showed the time, and its progression was quite unnerving as I was desperate for someone to arrive.
Throughout the story the passage of time and our significance in it is a constant theme, with so many allusions to clocks, the position of the sun and the changing weather/seasons. As Florence and Elsie's past was slowly revealed I was increasingly gripped, and the ending absolutely threw me for a loop - leaving me keen to go straight back and re-read the entire book again.
A stunning book with a lot of sadness, but somehow filled with hope and beauty thanks to its wonderful characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
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