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k01l02l07's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kleonard's review
1.0
This is one of those books that pushes my buttons, all in a bad way. The main character is about as interesting and has about the same amount of interiority as a barn door, and the errors throughout the book make me think it hasn't been edited very well. Soem examples: archivists or people working in archives DO NOT wear gloves when handling archival documents--gloves do more damage to paper than bare hands. "Antiquarian" does not mean old (the author writes "antiquarian stove"); an antiquarian is someone who does research on or deals in antiques or old books. "Inuendo" is used incorrectly, and is missing an n. Adding lemon juice to milk DOES NOT make it buttermilk. There are issues with tech and chronology. I could go on. And then there's the main character's flaccidity, her absolute lack of wit, and doormat tendencies. I guess we're supposed to think she rises heroically and overcomes these things? But she doesn't. She reacts rather than acts, and I, as a reader, find this incredibly annoying and infuriating....especially because most of the other characters are much the same, and they're possibly worse, because they're very two-dimensional.
mereoshop's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
knitter22's review
2.0
I was incredibly disappointed to find that the best thing about The Hedge was the main character's job. Maud is a garden historian, someone who restores historically significant gardens, and for the first few chapters, this unique and interesting premise is explored as Maud works on an estate in the Hudson Valley. Gabriel is an archaeologist working on the same estate, and of course, Maud finds herself falling for him. She has separated from her husband in California but her daughters are coming to stay with her for the summer.
Other reviewers have said that here the novel turns a corner; I thought it fell apart completely. I'd love to read a novel about a garden historian who doesn't have a deceptive and devious teenage daughter, but this is not that novel.
Other reviewers have said that here the novel turns a corner; I thought it fell apart completely.
Spoiler
When Maud's moody 13-year-old daughter, Ella, disappears, she immediately suspects Gabriel of sexually abusing Ella. The novel becomes a litany of Maud wondering if this could really have happened, and her boorish and demanding husband Peter making demands. I chose to read this book because of Maud's garden historian job, but it quickly devolved into one about Maud as an indecisive doormat, a manipulative and lying teenager, and some poor choices on everyone's part.amycam's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
turtleberry's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This was a well written story. I enjoyed it. Maude went through a lot but it all worked out in the end which made me smile.
kristensreadingnook's review
4.0
Hedge begins as Maud is on the opposite side of the country from her family, restoring an old garden. She develops feelings for a colleague, Gabriel, and has to make decisions about her marriage in the process. When her daughters join her for the summer, she must then balance her feelings for Gabriel with focusing on her motherly duties.
Then this book took a turn half way through that I was not expecting and unprepared for. Because of some things going on around me right now, it made this book a tough read. I think readers definitely need to be in the right head space to tackle some of the topics Jane Delury is tackling here.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Read if you like:
Gardening
Motherhood stories
Complex family stories
CW: self-harm
Thank you Zibby Books for an ARC.
Then this book took a turn half way through that I was not expecting and unprepared for. Because of some things going on around me right now, it made this book a tough read. I think readers definitely need to be in the right head space to tackle some of the topics Jane Delury is tackling here.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Read if you like:
Gardening
Motherhood stories
Complex family stories
CW: self-harm
Thank you Zibby Books for an ARC.
bookishpsychologist's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up.
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, as the content is rather heavy, but the writing was solid. This is a realistic portrayal of the challenges of being a working mother - losing one's identity, feeling overwhelmed, and juggling the mental load of the household and childcare responsibilities - within the context of a failing marriage. This is not a book to read if you are looking for a stereotypical happy ending. While it does end of a positive note overall, the novel portrays the fact that when a marriage is unraveling and finally ends, the woman tends to suffer more than the man (socially, emotionally, professionally, and financially), even when the man is a philanderer.
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, as the content is rather heavy, but the writing was solid. This is a realistic portrayal of the challenges of being a working mother - losing one's identity, feeling overwhelmed, and juggling the mental load of the household and childcare responsibilities - within the context of a failing marriage. This is not a book to read if you are looking for a stereotypical happy ending. While it does end of a positive note overall, the novel portrays the fact that when a marriage is unraveling and finally ends, the woman tends to suffer more than the man (socially, emotionally, professionally, and financially), even when the man is a philanderer.
refgirl1's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
pich's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
(3.75 leaning towards 4 stars)
I did not think I would enjoy a contemporary book like this, but I think the writing style and plot really sold it. The way Ella and Louise were written was reminiscent to my peers growing up, Annette and Alice’s dynamics with Maud were really refreshing and nice to see, and the twist in the middle was well done—it was a relatively quick read that I did not expect to enjoy.
I did not think I would enjoy a contemporary book like this, but I think the writing style and plot really sold it. The way Ella and Louise were written was reminiscent to my peers growing up, Annette and Alice’s dynamics with Maud were really refreshing and nice to see, and the twist in the middle was well done—it was a relatively quick read that I did not expect to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content