Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
What I loved was how the scenery was described. It was almost as if I could step into the book and experience it myself. The characters had a lot of potential but I'm afraid I found myself disappointed where I was not offered a deep dive into their personalities and backgrounds; I understand, that in a shorter book like this it's not to be expected, but somehow I was left craving more because in the end the characters seemed both colourful and flat at the same time.
Plotwise, it's not that I oppose husbands; I merely believe the book would've been better off without them being even mentioned past chapter 4. How the issue of husbands and marriages and men in general was solved, to me, seemed more of a convenient plot device than a realistic or even a necessary thing to include.
And I realize it's merely my opinion, but personally I would've preffered the storyline steered in another direction and a different ending altogether. I was expecting a found-family, sisterhood type deal, and did not receive. I would've preferred the book end with bittersweet tone about having to return home from this paradise, but with a newfound sisterhood and a deep emotional connection between the women.
All in all, I suppose it will still be a re-read for me in the future. The general theme of needing peace and quiet to heal and the description of the scenery is enough for me to have enjoyed it.
Plotwise, it's not that I oppose husbands; I merely believe the book would've been better off without them being even mentioned past chapter 4. How the issue of husbands and marriages and men in general was solved, to me, seemed more of a convenient plot device than a realistic or even a necessary thing to include.
And I realize it's merely my opinion, but personally I would've preffered the storyline steered in another direction and a different ending altogether. I was expecting a found-family, sisterhood type deal, and did not receive. I would've preferred the book end with bittersweet tone about having to return home from this paradise, but with a newfound sisterhood and a deep emotional connection between the women.
All in all, I suppose it will still be a re-read for me in the future. The general theme of needing peace and quiet to heal and the description of the scenery is enough for me to have enjoyed it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm...not exactly sure what I think about this book. Some books are based on the characters. Some are based on plot. This one is based on...an idea? The idea is that a castle in Italy awakens love in a bunch of frigid Brits. I do like the characters, but they also seem rather tailor-made to this theme. The castle has a lot of pretty flowers and a view of the ocean, but other than existing, it's not really clear how it inspires all this love. And all the love seems to get inspired rather easily and with minimal effort.
That said, I did enjoy the book. But it takes quite a long time to get into, and at first I had a hard time telling all these women apart. The ending was very contrived but also funny and at least a bit heartwarming. In the end, the love I thought was the sweetest was the reconciliation between Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Fisher. But I don't mean in a queer way. This book is flamingly heterosexual.
The funniest part was Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Arbuthnot's ongoing polite battle over who will preside at tea. "Would you like some tea?" "No, thank you. Would YOU like some tea?" If you see the humor there, you might enjoy this book. If what I just said went straight over your head, you might want to skip this book.
That said, I did enjoy the book. But it takes quite a long time to get into, and at first I had a hard time telling all these women apart. The ending was very contrived but also funny and at least a bit heartwarming. In the end, the love I thought was the sweetest was the reconciliation between Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Fisher. But I don't mean in a queer way. This book is flamingly heterosexual.
The funniest part was Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Arbuthnot's ongoing polite battle over who will preside at tea. "Would you like some tea?" "No, thank you. Would YOU like some tea?" If you see the humor there, you might enjoy this book. If what I just said went straight over your head, you might want to skip this book.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was very enjoyable for the most part even though a lot of bits were painfully outdated {obviously lmao}. Lots of characters angsting and pretty descriptions of their surroundings which I loved.
though I didn't like how Caroline and Mr Briggs were implied to get together in the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
I liked the positivity and the beauty in this book. And it was a nice reminder of the phenomenon of the 'virtuous circle' as they call it of you thinking well of someone meaning they behave more amenably and so on, which i think is true, although the book may exaggerate its effects. I found Lady Caroline and her inability to be received badly quite amusing and liked her friendship with Lottie and would have liked to see more of their conversations together, but by the end of the book I felt quite sorry for her, because her ending was just to continue to be fawned over, the exact thing she hated. I felt her ending was quite the worst and she could have been more developed - e.g. more told about her sudden 'thoughts' her changing attitude towards her parents.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is just a delight! To dream of being back in Liguria, Italy. Just a lovely enchanting delight. The writing style is amusing yet clear to give insight to the different characters' minds. You root for all of them to be happy and feel proud of their personal growth. A lovely, happy, low-stakes easy read. Great passages Aunt depictions of the power and importance of female friendships. It makes you long to visit and live in gorgeous charming Italy.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Century of Books- 1922
A wonderful story of friendship and love. Four women, who begin as strangers, carrying their own inner struggles (loneliness, fear, helplessness) spend one month together at a beautiful villa on the sea in Italy. The ocean, sky, flowers, air slowly helps each woman see her value and how her own inner self had held her back. This is a classic.
A wonderful story of friendship and love. Four women, who begin as strangers, carrying their own inner struggles (loneliness, fear, helplessness) spend one month together at a beautiful villa on the sea in Italy. The ocean, sky, flowers, air slowly helps each woman see her value and how her own inner self had held her back. This is a classic.