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jaydeereading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
saarahn's review against another edition
5.0
This book takes the reader on a remarkably unpredictable journey. It is the gradual unravelling of the events that unfolded when a wounded soldier finds himself escorted from the woods, by a young lady, to the Miss Martha Farnsworth Seminary For Young Ladies.
There, at the Seminary, we meet several young girls and their guardians, the two Farnsworth sisters - all of whom, with the exception of the sisters, vie for the attention of the young soldier. This brings with it many unexpected twists and turns and, all the while, the reader is agitated by the sinister possibility that the young ladies may be in harm's way.
This was a pleasant read and the fact that the story really could have gone in any direction certainly made it all the more compelling. The storytelling, and the clever structure meant all the character perspectives were in such synchronicity. It was as though you were in a room with them all at once, with the extraordinarily magical ability to hear their thoughts. I was reminded of J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls. Similarly, the reader is granted such intimate knowledge regarding the young women- their personalities and temperaments- their innocence, sisterhood, solidarity - as well as their quirks and often malicious intentions. This enabled the reader to have an understanding with them. The same was not true for the soldier whose thoughts remain deeply guarded and unknown. This kept things interesting: in a sense, the reader, too, was manipulated and deceived.
For instance, when the soldier claims "A great many of the women of the world, you know, are deceivers by nature. They can’t help it. They say one thing and mean another and they’ll lead a fella up the garden path for their own sport and think nothing of it...”
This is a book worth reading- it couldn't have been better! I will be watching its film counterpart, it would be interesting to see how a book with such structural depth translate to the big screen. I also love the sound of the cast, they'll do it justice. Hopefully.
I received this book through NetGalley.
There, at the Seminary, we meet several young girls and their guardians, the two Farnsworth sisters - all of whom, with the exception of the sisters, vie for the attention of the young soldier. This brings with it many unexpected twists and turns and, all the while, the reader is agitated by the sinister possibility that the young ladies may be in harm's way.
This was a pleasant read and the fact that the story really could have gone in any direction certainly made it all the more compelling. The storytelling, and the clever structure meant all the character perspectives were in such synchronicity. It was as though you were in a room with them all at once, with the extraordinarily magical ability to hear their thoughts. I was reminded of J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls. Similarly, the reader is granted such intimate knowledge regarding the young women- their personalities and temperaments- their innocence, sisterhood, solidarity - as well as their quirks and often malicious intentions. This enabled the reader to have an understanding with them. The same was not true for the soldier whose thoughts remain deeply guarded and unknown. This kept things interesting: in a sense, the reader, too, was manipulated and deceived.
For instance, when the soldier claims "A great many of the women of the world, you know, are deceivers by nature. They can’t help it. They say one thing and mean another and they’ll lead a fella up the garden path for their own sport and think nothing of it...”
This is a book worth reading- it couldn't have been better! I will be watching its film counterpart, it would be interesting to see how a book with such structural depth translate to the big screen. I also love the sound of the cast, they'll do it justice. Hopefully.
I received this book through NetGalley.
gharley77's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
hallieg's review
4.0
I started to read this because I really want to see the movie. Honestly, the movie looked kind of scary to me so I really wanted to see what I going to get myself into. I also like to see how the books compares to the movie. Typically I think the books are better. Like someone else mentioned, I think in this case the movie will be "better" than the book. For me it was a little slow to get to the real drama. 150 to 175 pages I'd say it took. Once it got there it picked up quickly and I had a hard time putting it down after that.
I enjoyed hearing from the various girls perspectives. I would have liked to hear more from Alice and Edwina, considering most of the drama was surrounding them. I also think there was some things the author expanded on that was a waste of paper. Some of the things could have been left out and the story would have still had the same impact.
Considering this book is over 50 years old, I thought it had a really good plot, detailed character, and and great plot twist of an ending! I know the movie will be different, but am excited to watch it.
I enjoyed hearing from the various girls perspectives. I would have liked to hear more from Alice and Edwina, considering most of the drama was surrounding them. I also think there was some things the author expanded on that was a waste of paper. Some of the things could have been left out and the story would have still had the same impact.
Considering this book is over 50 years old, I thought it had a really good plot, detailed character, and and great plot twist of an ending! I know the movie will be different, but am excited to watch it.
kez91's review against another edition
4.0
4/4.5* Really enjoyed this novel. I was concerned at first that having the chapters alternate between the perspectives of each of the women would be confusing and hard to follow, but it actually worked out really well, and it was interesting to explore unreliable narrators in this way. I just really loved the dark, sexual undertones through the whole story, and the way that there's always a sense of discomfort surrounding McBurney, as he tries- and for most of the book succeeds- to charm them all. He is definitely a beguiling character, and having the story told from each perspective except for his makes it really fascinating, because as a reader we have no insight into his intentions, though we can guess at their nature. I'm glad I got my hands on this before the Sofia Coppola film is released as I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to seeing how the new film interprets it!
nasheetahmed's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amadswami's review
4.0
Read this because I wanted to be well prepared for Coppola's retelling or remaking of the Eastwood film version (or this material). I really enjoy Cullinan's pacing and the voices he has created for his characters. Things feel a little short in the culmination, but it was a fun read and the writing was far better than I had expected.