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floatinthevoid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Such a perfect summer read!!
It has been a while since I read a third perspective book, and it's a delight to be able to read one that is enjoyable. I like the storytelling of the narrator. It's the kind of voice like a bard telling tales from road to road about a mystery that happened on Hanging Rock.
It has been a while since I read a third perspective book, and it's a delight to be able to read one that is enjoyable. I like the storytelling of the narrator. It's the kind of voice like a bard telling tales from road to road about a mystery that happened on Hanging Rock.
"The soft summer air caressed and healed like water. They wept a little, embraced long and tenderly, abandoning themselves after the first impassioned greetings to the silent luxury of sorrow shared. There was so much to be said, so little that ever could or would be said. The shadow of the Rock lay with an almost physical weight upon their hearts."
I must say tho, there's a change of pronouns in the narrator's voice so suddenly that it just make no sense. Using "I" when there's no indication that the all knowing narrator is involved in the story, a little bit weird. But even then, the story is well-paced. The story that happens feel slow, but my reading experience is not. I dare say if I don't get distracted by real life things I can finish this in a day.
I love the vibe of this book. If you're familiar with dark fairycore aesthetic, you might like this book. It's happened in a village near the forest so there will be trees, cliffs, white gowns, long hair, boarding school, female friendship, and also the haunting air of the night, the silver moonlight, disapperances, maladies, etc. And this all is very vividly described by the author with intricate details about nature without it being too boring. Love love the vibe so much.
Other things I want to mention is thatthe mystery aspect of this book is mystery for the sake of mystery, and not something that is intended to be solved. In one hand, I find that makes the book can be categorized as a light read, as there's actually not much clues are given so the readers can't solve yet that's why readers are brought to just enjoye the journey.
On the other hand, I was expecting more things to happen. So that's that.
This is the kind of book that I will really get lost into if I have all my leisure time in my hand. A solid and pleasing read!
"It is probably just as well for our nervous equilibrium that such cataclysms of personal fortune are usually disguised as ordinary everyday occurrences, like the choice of boiled or poached eggs for breakfast."
I must say tho, there's a change of pronouns in the narrator's voice so suddenly that it just make no sense. Using "I" when there's no indication that the all knowing narrator is involved in the story, a little bit weird. But even then, the story is well-paced. The story that happens feel slow, but my reading experience is not. I dare say if I don't get distracted by real life things I can finish this in a day.
I love the vibe of this book. If you're familiar with dark fairycore aesthetic, you might like this book. It's happened in a village near the forest so there will be trees, cliffs, white gowns, long hair, boarding school, female friendship, and also the haunting air of the night, the silver moonlight, disapperances, maladies, etc. And this all is very vividly described by the author with intricate details about nature without it being too boring. Love love the vibe so much.
Other things I want to mention is that
On the other hand, I was expecting more things to happen. So that's that.
This is the kind of book that I will really get lost into if I have all my leisure time in my hand. A solid and pleasing read!
"It is probably just as well for our nervous equilibrium that such cataclysms of personal fortune are usually disguised as ordinary everyday occurrences, like the choice of boiled or poached eggs for breakfast."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and Death
Minor: Trafficking and Rape
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
bookstorian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
After reading the script adaption and wanting to know more about the story prior to teaching it I knew that this Aussie classic needed to be read.
There are so many aspects of the story that my literary brain loved and there were others that were a little waning on my modern sensibilities.
-Loved the establishment of place, the idea that the landscape, especially the rock becomes a character. There is so much beautiful language used to articulate this.
-The shrouded mystery happens quickly. There is so much foreshadowing in the lead up to the picnic.
-The things that cannot be explained. The lure towards the rock, the clocks stopping and the curse like aftermath of the picnic is clear (reminded me of what happened to Howard Carter’s crew after the discovery of King Tut).
-Feels a little spooky, so well done that you can see why people think it is a true story as it feels so plausible that it could actually happen. People disappearing into the bush, probable.
-The flick between time and perspective got a little confusing at times and I had to go back an reread different sections. The narrator achieved a very subjective perspective throughout the story. Not placing the blame on any one or anything and letting the reader decide (even from the very beginning this is clear).
-I became sleepy like the characters at the later half of the story. I did already know the ending from the reading the script though.
-I’m ok with the ending. I’m ok with the not knowing. It makes the story more plausible and believable, people disappear all the time without any resolutions being made. I think stories that don’t have an ending that comes wrapped in a big bow are often the ones I think about the most afterwards.
-Also special shout out to the cover artist. I loved the moody sketch and colour palette of the book, plus extra points for a matte cover!
Overall, I am glad that I have read this text as not only do I have more contextual information about the play but I can also give this Aussie classic a big tick. Keen to check out the mini-series as see how it translates to screen now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism
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