Reviews

Hummingbird by Tristan Hughes

tombennett72's review

2.0

In places, there is some beautiful writing in this book - mostly when describing the land. But whilst I quite enjoyed the writing in places, overall he has a cold, dispassionate style which is hard to fully engage with and which gives for unfinished characters that are hard to engage with.

And it’s an odd story, told without any warmth or sparkle.

Not one to read again.

libraryoflanelle's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

twilightreader's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

dustfeather's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

c_wilkinson's review

challenging mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

thebooktrail88's review against another edition

4.0

Visit the Lakes in Ontario

Ooh this novel made me shiver! It was a novel which spoke to me as I love the landscape of Ontario and felt I had to read it The writing, the setting, the overall feeling of it all.

And that cover! It’s the setting which shines here. The characters are thin and sparse but for me that doesn’t really matter in a way as the story is so ethereal and immersive. They are very eccentric however and there’s something unnerving about them that trickles into the waters of the lake

It almost reads as a travelogue in places as the landscape takes over and the glaciers, horseshoe bends and cabins which stand on stilts like something out of a fairytale..

It’s a brutal and awful world up there in parts of the novel – this is not the land for the unprepared. It bites, it stabs, it takes you hostage and chills. But it can also enchant and fascinate and this novel sways between the two.

The theme of loss runs throughout the novel and indeed the landscape like a stream of regret.

booksandbabble's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cathbarton's review

4.0

Read this back in March and it has really stayed with me. Wonderfully atmospheric, great sense of place. Remembering the leech trapper makes me shiver now!