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el1books's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
charlotteappleyard93's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A lovely slow burn following Violet Speedwell as she reclaims her life and finds happiness and new beginnings, after an extended period of mourning her brother and fiance's death following ww1. This story is romantic and hopeful with wonderful characters. What it captures excellently is the time period and the sensibilities of that era, particularly attitudes to unmarried women, queer women and how the death of so many men in the war had a lasting impact on society. I found this totally fascinating! What stopped it being 5 stars is that it took me a while to get into it but once I got to know Violet I was invested!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
Moderate: Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, War, Outing, and Homophobia
Minor: Death
kiwialexa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Stalking
swamp_froge's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
spiritoflibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I never thought I'd have such a great time with a book about a woman learning to embroider...
Except, actually, this book is so much more than just that. It is a story of a woman trying to find her own way in life in a world that has deemed her "surplus". It is a story about friendship, love, and growing into yourself. And yes, there is also a good deal of embroidery, bellringing and Winchester cathedral fun facts.
There is not much of a continous plot weaving through this book, instead, we rather follow the main character Violet as she navigates the ups and downs of life as a woman living on her own in 1930s England. I really enjoyed following Violet as a character, she is written in a very realistic way with her strangths and weaknesses, and I related to her and felt for her a lot. She develops a lot throughout the book, learning to let others into her life and help others as well as let herself be helped instead of always fighting on her own. I found myself growing very attached to her and the ending of her story made me quite emotional.
The other main characters were also enjoyable to read about although we don't get to know them very well, only in the ways in which they have an impact on Violets life. I still grew quite attached to them as well and enjoyed getting to know their little quirks (like Dorothy spurting Latin sayings, especially when she's drunk)
This book also portrayed the horrors of war and the ways in which it still affects peoples lives even decades later. The impact of it was portrayed through small things, like no one being surprised at a person suddenly tearing up when talking about a deceased loved one, and it was very effective.
I really enjoyed learning more about embroidery, bellringing and life in 1930s Winchester. Tracy Chevalier managed to make these seemingly dry topics very interesting, and I will definitely try out embroidery some day and listen more closely whenever I hear church bells now.
My only (small) complaints would be that sometimes, the unlikeable characters would say the most horrible things imaginable in a given situation, to the point, where it became quite unrealistic, and a few times where feelings were being told, rather than shown to the reader. This didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book, though.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes very character-focused, rather slow stories, and anyone who likes historical fiction.
Except, actually, this book is so much more than just that. It is a story of a woman trying to find her own way in life in a world that has deemed her "surplus". It is a story about friendship, love, and growing into yourself. And yes, there is also a good deal of embroidery, bellringing and Winchester cathedral fun facts.
There is not much of a continous plot weaving through this book, instead, we rather follow the main character Violet as she navigates the ups and downs of life as a woman living on her own in 1930s England. I really enjoyed following Violet as a character, she is written in a very realistic way with her strangths and weaknesses, and I related to her and felt for her a lot. She develops a lot throughout the book, learning to let others into her life and help others as well as let herself be helped instead of always fighting on her own. I found myself growing very attached to her and the ending of her story made me quite emotional.
The other main characters were also enjoyable to read about although we don't get to know them very well, only in the ways in which they have an impact on Violets life. I still grew quite attached to them as well and enjoyed getting to know their little quirks (like Dorothy spurting Latin sayings, especially when she's drunk)
This book also portrayed the horrors of war and the ways in which it still affects peoples lives even decades later. The impact of it was portrayed through small things, like no one being surprised at a person suddenly tearing up when talking about a deceased loved one, and it was very effective.
I really enjoyed learning more about embroidery, bellringing and life in 1930s Winchester. Tracy Chevalier managed to make these seemingly dry topics very interesting, and I will definitely try out embroidery some day and listen more closely whenever I hear church bells now.
My only (small) complaints would be that sometimes, the unlikeable characters would say the most horrible things imaginable in a given situation, to the point, where it became quite unrealistic, and a few times where feelings were being told, rather than shown to the reader. This didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book, though.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes very character-focused, rather slow stories, and anyone who likes historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Homophobia
bethly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
A really atmospheric book, full of interesting characters and pastimes. I felt like I experienced bellringing and making kneelers along with Violet and it was lovely.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
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