Scan barcode
tegfan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
baileaves's review against another edition
5.0
Was a huge fan of this book. She incorporated a lot fo Spanish history into a very compelling story about the Ramirez family. I desperately want to visit Spain after reading this book.
bookishlysophie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I preferred the last book of Hislop’s that I read but you can’t get over the emotion this book provokes. It’s a beautiful tale of tragedy against the backdrop of the Spanish civil war. I’d highly recommend.
ladyreading365's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
beckboo88's review against another edition
5.0
loved this, Victoria hislop is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. this story is beautiful, you feel entwined with the past and the characters she has created, you feel what they feel.
sswachter's review against another edition
3.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was engaging and well written.
kerry2046's review against another edition
1.0
Right. I didn't' finish it. I don't do that often, the book has to be really disappointing, like The Other Boleyn Girl disappointing.
I picked this up because I love Spain, I dream of going to Spain. Spanish cinema is my passion, if Pedro Almodovars' name is anywhere in the production of a film I'm going to see it. Antonio Banderas? Javier Bardem? Penelope Cruz? Carmen Maura? If they're in a film, I'm gonna watch it.
I'm trying to transition into literature.
Like one reviewer said, this book does read like a textbook, you're being told the story, not made to live it. I'm not emotionally invested in this at all. It didn't help that I had to wait 100 pages before the book got to the plot that I borrowed it from the library for.
The characters are just meh, I'm not dying to know anything about them. I was excited to learn more about the Spanish Civil War but the way in which we are told it is so bland, I can't take it in. Ever since I saw 'Pan's Labyrinth' I've wanted to know more about that time in Spanish history and this book is my way of learning.
I am amazed that a book can make me so disinterested in Spain, and certainly shan't attempt anymore by this author. She just isn't selling me any of the characters. Or the scenery. I received no impression that it was buzzing and alive except for when she said it was buzzing and alive. I didn't feel involved and that's why I can't finish it.
Half way I made it to and I'm throwing in the towel. But I'm not giving up on Spain in literature. I believe I shall read something written by a Spanish author set in Spain, perhaps they will engross me rather than tell me.
If anyone can recommend me anything at all, please do.
Gosh, you can tell I'm not impressed, I haven't done such a thorough review in months.
I picked this up because I love Spain, I dream of going to Spain. Spanish cinema is my passion, if Pedro Almodovars' name is anywhere in the production of a film I'm going to see it. Antonio Banderas? Javier Bardem? Penelope Cruz? Carmen Maura? If they're in a film, I'm gonna watch it.
I'm trying to transition into literature.
Like one reviewer said, this book does read like a textbook, you're being told the story, not made to live it. I'm not emotionally invested in this at all. It didn't help that I had to wait 100 pages before the book got to the plot that I borrowed it from the library for.
The characters are just meh, I'm not dying to know anything about them. I was excited to learn more about the Spanish Civil War but the way in which we are told it is so bland, I can't take it in. Ever since I saw 'Pan's Labyrinth' I've wanted to know more about that time in Spanish history and this book is my way of learning.
I am amazed that a book can make me so disinterested in Spain, and certainly shan't attempt anymore by this author. She just isn't selling me any of the characters. Or the scenery. I received no impression that it was buzzing and alive except for when she said it was buzzing and alive. I didn't feel involved and that's why I can't finish it.
Half way I made it to and I'm throwing in the towel. But I'm not giving up on Spain in literature. I believe I shall read something written by a Spanish author set in Spain, perhaps they will engross me rather than tell me.
If anyone can recommend me anything at all, please do.
Gosh, you can tell I'm not impressed, I haven't done such a thorough review in months.
phillyvanillyy's review against another edition
3.0
I have been debating how many stars to give this and have settled on 3 because the parts I enjoyed I *really* enjoyed. But, they became a bit sparse after a while and it was quite a slog after the first half, or so. For me, this could have done to have been a lot shorter - definitely nowhere near 578 pages!
tellmeastoryxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pebbles1984's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful story! I think I liked it a tiny little bit less than The Island, probably because somewhere halfway through the book there were a bit too many war descriptions for my liking. Also, as with the Island, I thought the modern-day story wasn't very interesting and maybe a bit too much of it. I liked the Sonia-Miguel interactions though!
But, the largest part of the book was of course about the Spanish Civil War. I never knew much about it, except that it happened and that Franco played a role in it, and after enjoying The Island so much and going to Granada soon, I wanted to read this one as well. Except for some of the war-parts, I love the way everything is described, I could see myself being there, right with all the characters in the book. I loved how it was a history-lesson coming to life, and I was shocked at what the people of Spain have been through only so recently.
But, the largest part of the book was of course about the Spanish Civil War. I never knew much about it, except that it happened and that Franco played a role in it, and after enjoying The Island so much and going to Granada soon, I wanted to read this one as well. Except for some of the war-parts, I love the way everything is described, I could see myself being there, right with all the characters in the book. I loved how it was a history-lesson coming to life, and I was shocked at what the people of Spain have been through only so recently.