Reviews

Mariana by Monica Dickens

hollsbookshelf's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

sophiewelsh's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

jcubifer's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

3.75

katieosha's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Antisemitism

tstockto's review

reflective relaxing 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

5.0

bryoniadioica's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

3.75

tammitammo's review

lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

I am INCREDIBLY nostalgic and love to visit places from my childhood. If I find anything at all about them different I get terribly upset, so this book was relatable.

Beautiful descriptions, endearing protagonist. Some moments were unfortunately dated.

fluffy1st's review

funny reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

larafrances's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

disneydaughter's review against another edition

4.0

I guess this would be best described as a coming of age story, but I imagine this is what "chick lit" looked like in the 40's...Mary is definitely waiting for Mr Right (Bridget style). As well as being amusingly unsure of herself, she's flighty and often desperate, but also incredibly endearing. I couldn't help but get sucked into the trivialities of her life and peculiarities of family, which seem pretty timeless (if you ignore a few racist and anti-semitic references).

It's cosy and nostalgic and the kind of book I wish I'd read as a teenager. Also, what a fascinating time period to peek into. Quite bizarre.