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winniefree's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rdlevitt's review
3.0
Meh. I found it boring, of all things. Two main characters I didn't care about, doing irresponsible stuff for 500 pages.
sqmegrndhole's review
3.0
I struggled to get through this book and didn't really feel like it started until the last 100 pages.
abbeyhar103's review
3.0
Listened to it as an audiobook - the narrator was excellent.
I loved the first third, and then spent the last 2/3 thinking the book was going to go in a different direction than it ultimately did.
I enjoyed the depiction of post-WWI life, and thought Sarah Waters did a good job of showing rather than telling the reader what life was like in that particular time.
However, she majorly needed a good editor. The protagonist was constantly repeating herself, and going on this dull inner monologues. Additionally, I don't know about you, but I've never actually seen someone blush in real life. This was constantly happening in the book - characters were blushing and other people were noting and responding to it. Also, things were described as "Dickensian" at least 3 times.
I loved the first third, and then spent the last 2/3 thinking the book was going to go in a different direction than it ultimately did.
I enjoyed the depiction of post-WWI life, and thought Sarah Waters did a good job of showing rather than telling the reader what life was like in that particular time.
However, she majorly needed a good editor. The protagonist was constantly repeating herself, and going on this dull inner monologues. Additionally, I don't know about you, but I've never actually seen someone blush in real life. This was constantly happening in the book - characters were blushing and other people were noting and responding to it. Also, things were described as "Dickensian" at least 3 times.
readmore150's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
moves slow but builds after the murder
jfc4's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
raediance04's review
3.0
This book was very long, maybe the longest book I have read since Twilight or Harry Potter. So maybe I do not have a lot of experience with long books, but this book could have easily been cut in half. The writing was very beautiful and elaborate. The book is broken into three parts, and in the first two, the elegance of the words were intriguing. But by the third part, the plot seemed to drag on and the words became boring and repetitive. I feel like some aspects of the plot were forgotten as our focus shifted.
All in all I gave it four stars because it was entertaining and very different from what I have read in the past. It was not as suspenseful as I would have hoped and a little predictable, but maybe if it moved a little faster that problem would have been solved.
I recommend this to anyone who has a lot of time on their hands or who would like a book they can take his or her time to enjoy. If your looking for a quick read, I would recommend maybe choosing a cute and simple YA book.
All in all I gave it four stars because it was entertaining and very different from what I have read in the past. It was not as suspenseful as I would have hoped and a little predictable, but maybe if it moved a little faster that problem would have been solved.
I recommend this to anyone who has a lot of time on their hands or who would like a book they can take his or her time to enjoy. If your looking for a quick read, I would recommend maybe choosing a cute and simple YA book.
rachelellyn's review against another edition
4.0
Narrator's voice sold me on buying this book and... I'm glad it did. I had no idea this was a lesbian love story. I might not have bought this book if I had known, but Juliet Stevenson's narration makes this book come alive. I love all the historical details of post WWI Britain. Then to my delight the story turns to murder.
I found the interaction between mothers and daughters showing the differences between classes particularly heartfelt. Upper class revealing the regret of a offspring not being "proper." Lower class showing the pride of a good marriage.
Although the book, although a bit long in the tooth, was a "page" turner. I found myself racing through the last third to find out the ending.
I found the interaction between mothers and daughters showing the differences between classes particularly heartfelt. Upper class revealing the regret of a offspring not being "proper." Lower class showing the pride of a good marriage.
Although the book, although a bit long in the tooth, was a "page" turner. I found myself racing through the last third to find out the ending.