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vif's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
chiaralestino's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed the flow of the story and the mystical energy surrounding the setting, which was really impactful as a result of effective imagery. A mix of intricate and vague details gave the book a somewhat fantastical backdrop despite being set in rural 1900s Australia. It was interesting to me how the events of the book really contrasted the vestal symbols of the young girls' white dresses, flowers and vanity.
The book definitely had moments where it lost its magic for me, however the writing never felt boring. I still wish it was creepier throughout the whole text. Another reason why it isn't more than 5 stars is because it felt like it has very obvious flaws that are characteristic of white-Australian writing from the past. Despite this, I expected it to be worse so it's a nice surprise that I enjoyed it.
The book definitely had moments where it lost its magic for me, however the writing never felt boring. I still wish it was creepier throughout the whole text. Another reason why it isn't more than 5 stars is because it felt like it has very obvious flaws that are characteristic of white-Australian writing from the past. Despite this, I expected it to be worse so it's a nice surprise that I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide
Minor: Body horror
elzbethmrgn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Mysterious mystery is mysterious
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
simone_ebony's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Although the writing at times felt almost deliberately full of jargon, I think the end really saved it from being about a 3 and a half. As soon as Dora Lumley died, it really took a turn for the better and I really enjoyed the end. The suspenseful and mysterious atmosphere was very well crafted and I think I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. I see why its a classic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Colonisation and Racial slurs
machenn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Child death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
lexb's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
After the expected main event happened in the very beginning of the book I really wasn’t sure what to expect however the rest of the book kept me reading and explored the fall out and ripple effects of the events at the beginning which I found interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Child death
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
On Valentine’s Day 1900 the young ladies from Appleyard College enjoy an outing to a local landmark. After lunch most of the party are content to rest in the shade but a small group decide to scale the rock. Only one girl returns; another is later discovered but the rest are never seen again. Picnic at Hanging Rock looks at the aftermath for some of the girls, the school and the wider community. It is cleverly written to give the appearance of being an actual event and I felt it captured the Australian environment, especially the heat, really well. The overall tone was eerie and mysterious, gothic without the brooding house! The fate of the girls is never revealed, meaning this will be an unsatisfactory reading experience for many. I did struggle a little while reading this one, frustrated by the attitudes and behaviour of the girls which was often petty and classist. I had to remind myself that it was representative of its time. Overall I’m glad I can finally say that I’ve read this Antipodean classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
sarah984's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is a tale of the unsolved disappearance of a group of schoolgirls on a picnic trip and how that shock reverberates through their community and changes other characters’ lives forever.
The points of view are all well done in terms of having different voices and showing which aspects of what had happened mattered to them. I understand from the introduction that there were originally supernatural elements that were toned down for publication and I think that was a good call.
Due to the setting and the publication date, there are a few things that seem pretty dated, including racially insensitive language and a weird obsession with bullying one of the children for being fat.
The points of view are all well done in terms of having different voices and showing which aspects of what had happened mattered to them. I understand from the introduction that there were originally supernatural elements that were toned down for publication and I think that was a good call.
Due to the setting and the publication date, there are a few things that seem pretty dated, including racially insensitive language and a weird obsession with bullying one of the children for being fat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, and Vomit
francestea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A not-too-dark mystery with intriguing and many love-em or hate-em type characters. This book never really seemed to go where I expected and jumps around to follow different characters, often doing a bit of foreshadowing for the next section. Great writing and a great read. Definitely wait and read the forward at the end as, with many forwards, it spoils the ending. Also do yourself a favour and look-up an image of Hanging Rock- it’s very cool!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Suicide
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