Scan barcode
jesselynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
We follow Lisbet, a heavily pregnant young woman who keeps bees alongside her husband and mother-in-law. Lisbet is desperate for her unborn child's survival, due to multiple previous miscarriages, which wounds her and familial relationships deeply. When her husband's sister Agnethe returns from seven years in the mountains atoning for a mysterious sin, the path of her life is forever changed.
The content is very emotionally stimulating, with really moving and detailed language and a narrative that is very centred around Lisbet's feelings and emotional state. The cast of characters are interesting, with Lisbet's sister-in-law Nethe being a favourite of mine. The story explores a very harrowing sapphic relationship, as well as themes of religious fervour, immigration and xenophobia. The story is not an account of the Dancing Plague as such, but the events of the summer and strange event are an atmospheric setting, the rhythm of the dance weaved throughout Lisbet's story in interludes. The novel is much more character focused than a simple retelling, which I liked. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially women's historical fiction. Tread carefully if pregnancy, infertility and miscarriage is a trigger point for you.
Thanks to Picador for the reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I'll definitely be recommending this one to my customers and am looking forward to future works from Kiran Millwood Hargrave!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jcinf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
That said, once I set aside the time to read, I really enjoyed it. Historical fiction is a beloved genre of mine, and this book did not disappoint.
A plague — especially such an obscure one, a romantic subplot, a window into medieval times, a reflection on women’s rank in society… so good.
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Sexual content and Xenophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
mxrumphius's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use and Infidelity
rozereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
I loved the gorgeous friendships and relationships in this book. Especially that of Lisbet and Nethe as they learn about each other.
I loved the mania/plague that causes people to dance and was very interested to learn it was inspired by real events.
Kiran's books never disappoint. I loved it.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
daffodildyke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I was left wanting more of Lisbeth, Ida and Nethe themselves, more of their intimate thoughts and feelings and concerns, entirely separated from the men in their lives. Whilst there was clearly some distancing from the men and the patriarchal grip on society at this time, with Lisbeth’s dance tree, Ida and Nethe’s relationship… it just felt like too much attention was given to Plater in particular when I could have honestly done without any genuine focus on him beyond what the women saw or felt.
The way the number of women dancing increases throughout as the events in the characters lives also escalate feels very important, and the way the bees are interwoven with the love and the pain of the narrative is really beautiful too.
It’s really strange to say I really loved this book but also give it a middling rating, but honestly the last sort of 3 hours of the audiobook are all I am really gushing about at this point.
Also Ruta Gedmintas narrating was a stroke of genius.
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
josiee's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
nicoles_reading_corner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
darcyjanea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Alcohol
alexandrap529's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia