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camillalice's review against another edition
5.0
It's a slow read, but so beautiful. I just wanted to take my time reading it.
And that ending <3
And that ending <3
eheslosz's review against another edition
4.0
A very comforting and entertaining but surface-level book; similar vibes to ‘I capture the castle” by Dodie Smith, and a nice cyclical timeline with a detailed Bildungsroman section that made up most of the book. I loved the tiny details and descriptions and thoughts that change as Mary progresses from childhood, and I liked the way in which an initially selfish and unlikeable character felt more relatable and warm by the end. I wasn’t the greatest fan of how the protagonist was so conventional and privileged and this was never addressed critically in the narrative, and it wasn’t the kind of book that made me really think. But overall I would recommend it for a fairly quick, comfortable read.
libdibs's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Aside from the internalised and straight-up misogyny, this book did a fantastic job at showing a coming of age process filled with beautiful, intricate contextual details. I loved the variety of female characters, the vivid emotions and atmosphere, and the fantastic subversion right at the end.
bent's review
4.0
I quite like this book. In it, we see the main character, Mary, grow from a girl to a woman. It's a very amusing and engaging book, and despite it's length, was a quick read. I've never read Monica Dickens before but am very curious about some of her other works now. A very enjoyable read.
salimsdiary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
discount_viscount's review
5.0
Mariana is a romance novel for people who would never deign to read a romance novel but are in the mood for something romantic anyway.
Written by the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, the book recounts the story of a young woman named Mary who reflects on her life so far as she awaits news of her new husband, who is away at war and very possibly dead.
That sounds very serious and unamusing but the tone of the book is actually light and humorous, taking place as it does in the mind of an irreverent and awkward young girl. You could easily hate Mary with her bucolic summers in the country and Parisian escapades, if you weren't also privvy to her various failures and humiliations. And as is the case for most of us, the record of her love life is rather hit and miss and all that is detailed in the book along with the more dreamy, squealy parts.
I love the title "Mariana". It comes from a poem that is referenced in the book but also indicates that the book is about all things "Mary", which seems to illustrate perfectly the charm of this story.
Written by the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, the book recounts the story of a young woman named Mary who reflects on her life so far as she awaits news of her new husband, who is away at war and very possibly dead.
That sounds very serious and unamusing but the tone of the book is actually light and humorous, taking place as it does in the mind of an irreverent and awkward young girl. You could easily hate Mary with her bucolic summers in the country and Parisian escapades, if you weren't also privvy to her various failures and humiliations. And as is the case for most of us, the record of her love life is rather hit and miss and all that is detailed in the book along with the more dreamy, squealy parts.
I love the title "Mariana". It comes from a poem that is referenced in the book but also indicates that the book is about all things "Mary", which seems to illustrate perfectly the charm of this story.
swansandleda's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
shereadsalotofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Monica Dickens is a very interesting person. She was a sort of debutante but decided to work as a servant below stairs instead of being presented to the Queen.
She wrote about it but not in this book. She also happens to be the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens.
Mariana is a well written fluffy story. Turns out it’s a bit deeper than I was giving it credit for. I discovered this after we discussed in book club. This always happens right?
Sort of a romance sort of a coming of age story.
Recommended if you’re looking for a fluffy story.
She wrote about it but not in this book. She also happens to be the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens.
Mariana is a well written fluffy story. Turns out it’s a bit deeper than I was giving it credit for. I discovered this after we discussed in book club. This always happens right?
Sort of a romance sort of a coming of age story.
Recommended if you’re looking for a fluffy story.
libraryofkayla's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0