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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
hyperspacehistorian's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
3.75
deborahisreading's review against another edition
3.0
I wonder if I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the physical book rather than the kindle version. Or a version with maps and portraits of the characters. I found the ebook a flat experience and difficult to follow with the different names and nicknames used by the narrators. I wish I had liked it more.
veronicafrance's review against another edition
4.0
Computer failure means I'm writing this review long after the event. Bainbridge is a strangely under- rated writer. She does a superb job of getting into the heads of these five different men, giving each an individual voice. At the same time she shows their failings, the fatal hubris of a certain kind of British upper-class man, but always with compassion. A good short read.
cody240fc's review
4.0
The MPV approach works very well with this novel, as it allows Bainbridge to illustrate how we are able to view the same people, and the same circumstances, in an entirely different light than others. Our lenses, the context in which we perceive our experiences, provides each of us a wholly unique perspective.
Bainbridge's novel presumes the readers familiarity with Scott's journey to reach the Pole. It is a slim novel, which is surprising given the grand nature of the events. Cherry's memoirs about his experiences as a member of the team, 'The Worst Journey in the World', is several hundred pages longer. But Bainbridge isn't interested in covering the exact details of Scott's journey, she is more interested in how individual team members might have perceived those events. Accompanied with her impressive prose, this makes for a great read.
My only complaint pertains to her decision to end the novel prematurely. It is no spoiler to say that Scott and several members of his team meet with demise, yet Bainbridge decides to end her novel before Scott meets his end. It is an opportunity missed. Imagine a closing chapter from the perspective of a surviving team member, one who might wistfully look back at the friends they lost, the mistakes that were made, and maybe the appreciation of a man's willpower. It would have been a powerful ending.
Nonetheless, I found this to be excellent. There's some wonderful character building, even with the limited page count, and plenty of the dry humor that one might expect from the Brits. I highlighted several passages detailing the landscape, sunsets, sunrises and the Aurora night sky. Bainbridge can set a scene but never flaunts her talents with long winded descriptions. I believe Mustich included this in his 1,001 books to read before you die, and I can see why he did so. High four stars.
Bainbridge's novel presumes the readers familiarity with Scott's journey to reach the Pole. It is a slim novel, which is surprising given the grand nature of the events. Cherry's memoirs about his experiences as a member of the team, 'The Worst Journey in the World', is several hundred pages longer. But Bainbridge isn't interested in covering the exact details of Scott's journey, she is more interested in how individual team members might have perceived those events. Accompanied with her impressive prose, this makes for a great read.
My only complaint pertains to her decision to end the novel prematurely. It is no spoiler to say that Scott and several members of his team meet with demise, yet Bainbridge decides to end her novel before Scott meets his end. It is an opportunity missed. Imagine a closing chapter from the perspective of a surviving team member, one who might wistfully look back at the friends they lost, the mistakes that were made, and maybe the appreciation of a man's willpower. It would have been a powerful ending.
Nonetheless, I found this to be excellent. There's some wonderful character building, even with the limited page count, and plenty of the dry humor that one might expect from the Brits. I highlighted several passages detailing the landscape, sunsets, sunrises and the Aurora night sky. Bainbridge can set a scene but never flaunts her talents with long winded descriptions. I believe Mustich included this in his 1,001 books to read before you die, and I can see why he did so. High four stars.
kara_jane's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It took me awhile to get into it. I started liking it when Birdie was the one talking, so more then half way in is when I got into it. I had so high hopes for it and it didn't become to story I was hoping for.
ladytiara's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful novel based on Scott's final expedition to Antarctica, The Birthday Boys gives life to Scott and his fellow explorers.