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cindywho's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one - Havers & Lynley unravel a crime of passion while picking at issues in their own lives. It takes place in Cambridge and revolves around the murder of a young deaf student. Meanwhile Lynley's in a knot about Helen and Havers is trying to figure out what do to about her mother. The crime is interestingly complicated and the detectives grow as characters.
annabelbird's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed reading about the challenges and decisions involved in bringing up a deaf child and them finding their place in society.
I think she is great at setting and I like that she uses real places and names as, if you know the place (Cambridge in this instance), you can place yourself there immediately.
Usually I groan when I see how long a book is but with EG the length always feels like a gift, as if she’s generously added more layers to keep her readers indulged in her worlds for longer. Like when you find your favourite TV show has ten episodes instead of six.
I found the motive didn’t quite come across well enough. I do believe in it as a plausible motive, but I think the terror the killer felt didn’t really come across so I felt it unlike they would have resorted to murder.
I am reading these in order and hoping EG dispenses with St James as I don’t see the point in that character and his story. Stretches the plausibility of all these posh people working in crime detection a little too far for me.
I think she is great at setting and I like that she uses real places and names as, if you know the place (Cambridge in this instance), you can place yourself there immediately.
Usually I groan when I see how long a book is but with EG the length always feels like a gift, as if she’s generously added more layers to keep her readers indulged in her worlds for longer. Like when you find your favourite TV show has ten episodes instead of six.
I found the motive didn’t quite come across well enough. I do believe in it as a plausible motive, but I think the terror the killer felt didn’t really come across so I felt it unlike they would have resorted to murder.
I am reading these in order and hoping EG dispenses with St James as I don’t see the point in that character and his story. Stretches the plausibility of all these posh people working in crime detection a little too far for me.
balden4325's review against another edition
"...because it all boils down to what men want, Helen. And what we want is women. But not as individuals, not as living, breathing, vulnerable human beings with a set of desires and dreams of their own. We want them --you--as extensions of ourselves."
" What we ask of them, he thought. What we expect, what we demand. But never what we will give in return. Never what they want. And never a moment's thorough consideration of the burdens which our desires and requirements place on them."
"In the end, life is all about seeking reassurance, she thought, we're all engaged in looking for some kind of sign that will tell us we're not really alone. We want a bond, an anchor that will hold us fast to a landmass of belonging somewhere, of being close to someone, of having something more than the clothes on our backs or the houses we live in or the cars that we drive. And in the end we can only gain reassurance through people. No matter how we fill our lives with the trappings of a carefree independence, we still want the bond. Because a vital connection with another human being always carries the potential to act as a viable approbation of the self. If I am loved, I am worthy. If I am needed, I am worthy. If I maintain this relationship in the face of all difficulties, I am somehow whole."
" What we ask of them, he thought. What we expect, what we demand. But never what we will give in return. Never what they want. And never a moment's thorough consideration of the burdens which our desires and requirements place on them."
"In the end, life is all about seeking reassurance, she thought, we're all engaged in looking for some kind of sign that will tell us we're not really alone. We want a bond, an anchor that will hold us fast to a landmass of belonging somewhere, of being close to someone, of having something more than the clothes on our backs or the houses we live in or the cars that we drive. And in the end we can only gain reassurance through people. No matter how we fill our lives with the trappings of a carefree independence, we still want the bond. Because a vital connection with another human being always carries the potential to act as a viable approbation of the self. If I am loved, I am worthy. If I am needed, I am worthy. If I maintain this relationship in the face of all difficulties, I am somehow whole."
katymonnot's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite book of hers. I think some of it was just a little over the top, but as always, Ms. George provided and interesting read.
mccosgrove's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
rosalemons's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is book 5 in the Inspector Lynley series. I have watched the entire series on TV and am now working my way through the books. I love the characters in this series, Lynley and his sidekick Havers, Helen, and St. James and they are all here in For the Sake of Elena.
This outing in the series involves the murder of a university professor’s d(D)eaf daughter, the Elena of the title. As the case unwinds it involves infidelity, Deaf culture, parental alienation, and the nature of inspiration or creativity. As the case goes on there are subplots involving Lynley, Helen, and Helen’s sister’s postpartum depression and Haver’s dilemma about her aging mother’s care. The storylines are written sensitively and add depth as the character’s grapple with these issues. Another great book, in a series I really enjoy.
This outing in the series involves the murder of a university professor’s d(D)eaf daughter, the Elena of the title. As the case unwinds it involves infidelity, Deaf culture, parental alienation, and the nature of inspiration or creativity. As the case goes on there are subplots involving Lynley, Helen, and Helen’s sister’s postpartum depression and Haver’s dilemma about her aging mother’s care. The storylines are written sensitively and add depth as the character’s grapple with these issues. Another great book, in a series I really enjoy.
lasiepedimore's review
4.0
Puoi trovare questa recensione anche sul mio blog, La siepe di more
Ah, che piacere ritrovare l’ispettore Lynley che fa coppia con la sergente Havers! Interagiscono in maniera adorabile, adesso che si conoscono meglio e hanno imparato a punzecchiarsi a vicenda. In questo volume, entrambi sono a una svolta nelle loro vite e, come nei migliori gialli, il caso finirà per avere un certo peso nelle loro decisioni.
Lynley è alle prese con problemi di cuore (di nuovo, povero) e il caso lo costringe a fare i conti con la mancanza di parità tra uomini e donne all’interno dei rapporti di coppia. Una riflessione che vediamo concretizzarsi anche nel rapporto tra la sorella di Lady Helen, Pen, e suo marito Harry, secondo il quale tutto il peso della cura della prole dovrebbe cadere sulle spalle di Pen. Un applauso a George per aver scritto un romanzo così abile a mostrare diversi modi subdoli nei quali gli uomini scaricano sulle donne le responsabilità della famiglia per poter continuare le loro carriere, con tutto il dolore e l’astio che questo fa fiorire.
D’altro canto, Havers è alle prese con una madre non più autosufficiente, ma dalla quale non riesce a separarsi. Qual è la cosa giusta, prendersi cura di sua madre in prima persona o lasciare che sia una casa di riposo a farlo al posto suo? Ho trovato molto bello il percorso che la porta a prendere la decisione che suona giusta per lei, ma anche per sua madre (la storia del serpente-aspirapolvere è davvero terribile).
Poi abbiamo Lady Helen, che è sempre una queen, anche quando è smarrita e ha bisogno di qualche riflessione in più, e rivediamo anche il buon Simon Allcourt-St. James, esperto di medicina legale, che arriva in soccorso di Lynley e Havers che non riescono a sapere qual è l’arma del delitto a causa di due galli nel pollaio della scientifica di Cambridge.
«Ah, gli uomini…» si limitò a commentare Barbara. «Perché non vanno fuori e fanno a gara a chi piscia più lontano?»
St James sorrise. «Non è una cattiva idea.»
Ah, che piacere ritrovare l’ispettore Lynley che fa coppia con la sergente Havers! Interagiscono in maniera adorabile, adesso che si conoscono meglio e hanno imparato a punzecchiarsi a vicenda. In questo volume, entrambi sono a una svolta nelle loro vite e, come nei migliori gialli, il caso finirà per avere un certo peso nelle loro decisioni.
Lynley è alle prese con problemi di cuore (di nuovo, povero) e il caso lo costringe a fare i conti con la mancanza di parità tra uomini e donne all’interno dei rapporti di coppia. Una riflessione che vediamo concretizzarsi anche nel rapporto tra la sorella di Lady Helen, Pen, e suo marito Harry, secondo il quale tutto il peso della cura della prole dovrebbe cadere sulle spalle di Pen. Un applauso a George per aver scritto un romanzo così abile a mostrare diversi modi subdoli nei quali gli uomini scaricano sulle donne le responsabilità della famiglia per poter continuare le loro carriere, con tutto il dolore e l’astio che questo fa fiorire.
D’altro canto, Havers è alle prese con una madre non più autosufficiente, ma dalla quale non riesce a separarsi. Qual è la cosa giusta, prendersi cura di sua madre in prima persona o lasciare che sia una casa di riposo a farlo al posto suo? Ho trovato molto bello il percorso che la porta a prendere la decisione che suona giusta per lei, ma anche per sua madre (la storia del serpente-aspirapolvere è davvero terribile).
Poi abbiamo Lady Helen, che è sempre una queen, anche quando è smarrita e ha bisogno di qualche riflessione in più, e rivediamo anche il buon Simon Allcourt-St. James, esperto di medicina legale, che arriva in soccorso di Lynley e Havers che non riescono a sapere qual è l’arma del delitto a causa di due galli nel pollaio della scientifica di Cambridge.
«Ah, gli uomini…» si limitò a commentare Barbara. «Perché non vanno fuori e fanno a gara a chi piscia più lontano?»
St James sorrise. «Non è una cattiva idea.»
beckyene's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth George has outdone herself this time. What a brilliant novel! I loved it!
franssounette's review against another edition
4.0
Je suis très heureuse de retrouver l'écriture d'Elizabeth George. Encore une fois, j'ai été prise dans le récit et je n'ai pas vu venir la fin.
Seul petit point un peu dérangeant. Je suis consciente que ce livre est sorti au début des années 90 et que la mentalité a beaucoup changé depuis, mais j'ai trouvé difficile de lire la perception de la femme qu'avait les maris de l'époque. Oufff je suis bien contente que nous ne sommes plus seulement dévouées aux maris, aux enfants et aux tâches domestiques.
Seul petit point un peu dérangeant. Je suis consciente que ce livre est sorti au début des années 90 et que la mentalité a beaucoup changé depuis, mais j'ai trouvé difficile de lire la perception de la femme qu'avait les maris de l'époque. Oufff je suis bien contente que nous ne sommes plus seulement dévouées aux maris, aux enfants et aux tâches domestiques.