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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not one I'd usually go for (historical fiction, European monarchy, 150s) but this was well written and did make me curious about the actual history of the characters. This was a book club pick.
Absolutely stunning. This book left me breathless by the suspense, the beauty of the language, and the depth of the characters. This book will stay with me for a long time.
Bookclub read [UoG]:
First impressions - the book is huge, a giant hardback novel, I thought I'd never finish it. The cover is gorgeous - bright flowers, snakes and that tiger. I note that every cover version has a tiger - I really like tigers and am even more intrigued. (The tiger is disappointingly fleeting then becoming a metaphor).
The writing is stunning, O'Farrell draws you in instantly. Her words create a world that you can see, smell, feel and taste. It is obvious that there has been in-depth research done. The world is so real, the characters believable - flaws and all.
I want to know more about the people behind the scenes, the servants and painting assistants - they are infinitely more interesting than Lucrezia.
I felt I knew where it was going, but the ending was a bit ambiguous and I found myself let down. I almost enjoyed it against my will.
First impressions - the book is huge, a giant hardback novel, I thought I'd never finish it. The cover is gorgeous - bright flowers, snakes and that tiger. I note that every cover version has a tiger - I really like tigers and am even more intrigued. (The tiger is disappointingly fleeting then becoming a metaphor).
The writing is stunning, O'Farrell draws you in instantly. Her words create a world that you can see, smell, feel and taste. It is obvious that there has been in-depth research done. The world is so real, the characters believable - flaws and all.
I want to know more about the people behind the scenes, the servants and painting assistants - they are infinitely more interesting than Lucrezia.
I felt I knew where it was going, but the ending was a bit ambiguous and I found myself let down. I almost enjoyed it against my will.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautiful writing
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
very slow read imo and i wish it didn’t start with the ending and rather it remained a mystery til the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this book!
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No