Reviews

Mariana by Monica Dickens

sandrarn's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

reading_rahima's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

philippakmoore's review

5.0

Loved it. A cosy comfort read, and quite hilarious in places!

victoria_as_aq's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

annesofielovesliterature's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.75

connorshirs's review

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this novel. The prose was beautiful, the characters were beautiful. I didn't quite understand why it's categorized primarily as a romance novel, it's more a bildungsroman, but the beginning and end of the novel make it seem like it wants to be a romance novel. You go into the story not knowing who Mary's husband is, which would have been a great setup for a "who-is-she-going-to-choose?" situation.

We spent way too long following Mary's romance with Denys, way too long with Pierre, and not enough time with Sam. It felt as though I didn't really know Sam enough to care about his character, I only knew I was supposed to care about him, even though I didn't. Overall, I think I would give this a 3.5/5 stars.

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

See my review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2017/01/05/day-1021-mariana/

bekab20's review against another edition

3.0

Very good story. Got a little boring in the middle, but perfectly sweet.

ori_gina_lity's review

4.0

Charming and highly readable. It was a tad predictable but Persephone novels have yet to disappoint me with wonderful observations of the time period and witty conversation I really connected with Mary as a heroine, it was a nice cozy read!

mrswythe89's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed this -- it is an indulgence of a book, but well-written and intelligent -- but my enjoyment was marred by casual anti-Semitism and homophobia. Sigh.

Also for some reason till nearly the end of the book I was labouring under the delusion that her husband was named Bingo. So when she met the One I thought he must be another faily boyfriend and was secretly waiting to find out what the catch was. Whoops!