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eleanor029's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was my first book by Ali Smith. I did not know what to expect from the story before starting to read and now I know why. It was more of an experience than a story, which irked me some at first when I finished it, but it's okay. I had hoped something would happen, and the open ending is good for the book, but not good for me wanting to know everything.
I will be reading the rest of the series and I'm curious to see whether they tie in with eachother or are separate. I have found nothing on that in any reviews so far, especially whether one can read the series "out of order".
I will be reading the rest of the series and I'm curious to see whether they tie in with eachother or are separate. I have found nothing on that in any reviews so far, especially whether one can read the series "out of order".
suzecate's review against another edition
Will restart in the fall. Got distracted
vkce23's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wonderful! Reflective, funny, atmospheric, poignant. Read it in 2 sittings it was so good. Deep yet humorous, I loved the examination of the minutiae of British life (the post office!) alongside the more surreal art, history and literature references seen through Daniel’s memory. Amazing writing - 5*.
amber_ray's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this book knowing nothing other than it was part of a seasonal quartet, and that it had been called the first “post-Brexit novel.” I wasn’t particularly excited to read it, but decided to give it a go since it was shortlisted for the #manbookerprize And ... wow, am I glad I did! I loved this book, like, I loved EVERYTHING about this book. Smith is just my type of writer, brilliant, clever, serious and yet so funny. And yeah, it’s a Brexit novel. But let’s be honest, it’s so much more than that.
The book centres (for the most part) on the most unlikely of friends, ageing Daniel Gluck and 34ish Elisabeth Demand. She wavers between disillusionment and helplessness along with the Brexit vote, but her various experiences are woven in with Gluck’s memories (the fantastic Pauline Boty, Christine Keeler and the Profumo Scandal) in such a way as to create a symphony of hope amidst lies and deceit.
It’s a tender and searingly smart account of our time, which is also the mirror image of our past - equally as tragic and lurid (no, we’ve not come that far). But yet even in a time of decay, we harvest beauty, we find love, we have hope.
“We have to hope, Daniel was saying, that the people who love us and know us a little bit will in the end have seen us truly.”
I’m not going to do this book justice here, but there are so many brilliant scenes, so many nods to a history I didn’t know about, so many things that I just don’t want to give away. You have to read it for yourself.
Now, I need to read Winter. And then Spring and then Summer. And then, I want to read them again. Brilliant.
The book centres (for the most part) on the most unlikely of friends, ageing Daniel Gluck and 34ish Elisabeth Demand. She wavers between disillusionment and helplessness along with the Brexit vote, but her various experiences are woven in with Gluck’s memories (the fantastic Pauline Boty, Christine Keeler and the Profumo Scandal) in such a way as to create a symphony of hope amidst lies and deceit.
It’s a tender and searingly smart account of our time, which is also the mirror image of our past - equally as tragic and lurid (no, we’ve not come that far). But yet even in a time of decay, we harvest beauty, we find love, we have hope.
“We have to hope, Daniel was saying, that the people who love us and know us a little bit will in the end have seen us truly.”
I’m not going to do this book justice here, but there are so many brilliant scenes, so many nods to a history I didn’t know about, so many things that I just don’t want to give away. You have to read it for yourself.
Now, I need to read Winter. And then Spring and then Summer. And then, I want to read them again. Brilliant.
marivincenzi's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? N/A
5.0
asc1006's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like the writing style, almost like a narreted poem if that's even a thing. It seemed like it could be read at slam poetry events. But I can't not admire the talent of someone who is capable to write in such a way, it just isn't my thing.
majamija's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5