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mhrocm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Historical fiction, love story, comedy, tragedy, war story, idyllic Greek island story… zooms in on day to day lives of the characters, zooms out to the bigger picture of WW2 Greece defending itself against the Italians and Germans. Multigenerational family drama. Occasionally a bit slow but forgiven for that, didn’t really drag for me. Glad I read it.
evangelinereading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mstuart7's review against another edition
4.5
Fantastic and heartbreaking. Full of moments where I couldn’t bear to read more or put it down.
rahlia's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and poetic story about life and war and the uncontrollable tides of the world that change people forever and don't at the same time. Well worth the short time it takes to read.
merylm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
lo_a's review against another edition
5.0
The book is full of heart and love and pain and anguish. I’m glad I read it even though I spent the last 100 pages crying
mmousa's review against another edition
4.0
It’s 2:42 am, and as usual, I feel too much about a book I’m reading to sleep. Which is ironic, since it did put me to sleep in its beginnings. The author’s satirical use of vocabulary from the Mars of English was excruciating. *Excruciating*.
I haven’t finished the book, still a few pages left, but I’m feeling weary and sentimental, perfect review material.
His WRITING. _beautiful_. In all the senses of the word. I would fill this review with quotes and excerpts if it weren’t three in the morning, they would suffice. Maybe I would, tomorrow when I commence, yet again, procrastinating university work.
The DOCTOR. My favorite character, and where (un)coincidentally all the jokes in the book roam.
The romance, too. This is probably the only real (non-trashy) romance I’ve ever read, and by no means do I know the standard for these things, but I’m assuming it’s somewhere near the pinnacle. It has to be, or else this world is some utopian heaven, where perfect, utopian things exist.
Also, the organization (is that the word?) of the book was cinematic. That’s the word. Cinematic. Real Steven Speilberg (is that how you speed his name?). I wish I paid more attention to the book in the beginning (I blame the, again, *excruciating*, vocabulary), because I have a feeling a deeper understanding of the ties of events would have made the read an even better one.
It wasn’t just the vocab, for someone with near zero education on the world wars, a lot of stuff just flew right over my head. I had to google which ones were axis and which ones were allies, so that pretty much puts it in perspective.
Really, I think I’m gonna have to read the book again, when I finally rack up the motivation to wake up from the haze of my ignorance. Really read it, because it turns out the book is worth the, again x2, excruciating vocabulary.
I haven’t finished the book, still a few pages left, but I’m feeling weary and sentimental, perfect review material.
His WRITING. _beautiful_. In all the senses of the word. I would fill this review with quotes and excerpts if it weren’t three in the morning, they would suffice. Maybe I would, tomorrow when I commence, yet again, procrastinating university work.
The DOCTOR. My favorite character, and where (un)coincidentally all the jokes in the book roam.
The romance, too. This is probably the only real (non-trashy) romance I’ve ever read, and by no means do I know the standard for these things, but I’m assuming it’s somewhere near the pinnacle. It has to be, or else this world is some utopian heaven, where perfect, utopian things exist.
Also, the organization (is that the word?) of the book was cinematic. That’s the word. Cinematic. Real Steven Speilberg (is that how you speed his name?). I wish I paid more attention to the book in the beginning (I blame the, again, *excruciating*, vocabulary), because I have a feeling a deeper understanding of the ties of events would have made the read an even better one.
It wasn’t just the vocab, for someone with near zero education on the world wars, a lot of stuff just flew right over my head. I had to google which ones were axis and which ones were allies, so that pretty much puts it in perspective.
Really, I think I’m gonna have to read the book again, when I finally rack up the motivation to wake up from the haze of my ignorance. Really read it, because it turns out the book is worth the, again x2, excruciating vocabulary.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautifully written book! I wept; I laughed out loud; I was furious; I was anxious and worried; I gasped in horror; I smiled secret smiles; I rejoiced; I LOVED. All the characters, even the minor ones, come to life. I did think a few chapters could have been edited, as they didn't serve the plot (but DID provide background history of WW II), and I found the ending unsatisfactory. But still, after borrowing it from the library I RAN out and bought it - High praise indeed.
I read it first in March 2001, and then recommended it to one of my book clubs and re-read it in Oct 2001.
BTW - The movie was absolutely horrible. Forget the movie! READ the book!
I read it first in March 2001, and then recommended it to one of my book clubs and re-read it in Oct 2001.
BTW - The movie was absolutely horrible. Forget the movie! READ the book!
reg19's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75