Scan barcode
meldav4's review against another edition
4.0
There is no way that I am going to be able to write a review that this book deserves. I am not going to be able to come up with the wording to express the melancholic beauty and expertise evoked from the story and the writing. The writing itself was sophisticated, eloquent, and expressive. I savored every word written, I did not want to miss a single thing. I had the impression that each and every word was crafted with precision and thought, they deserved the attention from the reader that was put into them by the author.
I found myself immersed in the story, deeply engaged with the characters. And about those characters! The author created and portrayed her characters in such a way that they breathed life, I felt connected to them and felt such empathy and emotion. Sensitive topics are immersed throughout the book, but they were not excessive or detailed, they were tastefully and masterfully presented and positioned. This would be a perfect book to for a book club, or for anyone who likes to dig deeper into what they are reading, to be able to pull more from what is on the surface. There are so many topics that could be analyzed and discussed, and I would love to attend an event to listen to this author provide her own discussion on the background of writing this novel.
I was quite impressed with this novel for so many reasons. I highly recommend it!
I found myself immersed in the story, deeply engaged with the characters. And about those characters! The author created and portrayed her characters in such a way that they breathed life, I felt connected to them and felt such empathy and emotion. Sensitive topics are immersed throughout the book, but they were not excessive or detailed, they were tastefully and masterfully presented and positioned. This would be a perfect book to for a book club, or for anyone who likes to dig deeper into what they are reading, to be able to pull more from what is on the surface. There are so many topics that could be analyzed and discussed, and I would love to attend an event to listen to this author provide her own discussion on the background of writing this novel.
I was quite impressed with this novel for so many reasons. I highly recommend it!
cjeverafter's review against another edition
3.0
“She ruptures the story. The royal court is silenced, dumbstruck by her, a girl. They look at her and they are overcome by grief and shame. That’s the power she has, Ophelia.”
The Ophelia Girls is a dual narrative that alternates between two scorching summers. Ruth & her friends spent any entire season in the icy river photographing one another as the tragic young Ophelia. By the end of that summer, real tragedy finds them. Almost a quarter of a century later Ruth returns, family in tow, to her grand country estate. Recently in remission, Ruth’s teenage daughter, Maeve is trying to figure out how to move on with her young life. The only person who seems to “get” her is her parent’s friend, Stuart who is also joining them for a summer in the country. Past and present collide in this atmospheric coming of age story that explores the desires, vulnerability and potential of young women on the brink of adulthood.
Curiosity led me to pick up this book and it was that same curiosity that drove me deeper into the story. This book is saturated in unease, melancholy and teenaged angst. The content was written to make you uncomfortable which puts you directly at odds with the exceptional atmosphere and lyrical descriptions of the setting. Overall, the story is slower in pace but I found myself eager to continue and unable to look away despite my unease with some of the subject matter.
The themes of this book will hit close to home for anyone who was once a teenage girl or is a parent to one. They deserve more than the frivolous stereotypes our society sets for them and this story is a testament to that.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Jane Healey & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Ophelia Girls is available for pre-order and will be released on August 10th, 2021.
“When Ophelia steps on the stage with her flowers, she stops everything.”
TW⚠️ Drowning, grooming of a minor by an adult, homophobia, cheating, discussions about the death of a parent.
The Ophelia Girls is a dual narrative that alternates between two scorching summers. Ruth & her friends spent any entire season in the icy river photographing one another as the tragic young Ophelia. By the end of that summer, real tragedy finds them. Almost a quarter of a century later Ruth returns, family in tow, to her grand country estate. Recently in remission, Ruth’s teenage daughter, Maeve is trying to figure out how to move on with her young life. The only person who seems to “get” her is her parent’s friend, Stuart who is also joining them for a summer in the country. Past and present collide in this atmospheric coming of age story that explores the desires, vulnerability and potential of young women on the brink of adulthood.
Curiosity led me to pick up this book and it was that same curiosity that drove me deeper into the story. This book is saturated in unease, melancholy and teenaged angst. The content was written to make you uncomfortable which puts you directly at odds with the exceptional atmosphere and lyrical descriptions of the setting. Overall, the story is slower in pace but I found myself eager to continue and unable to look away despite my unease with some of the subject matter.
The themes of this book will hit close to home for anyone who was once a teenage girl or is a parent to one. They deserve more than the frivolous stereotypes our society sets for them and this story is a testament to that.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Jane Healey & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Ophelia Girls is available for pre-order and will be released on August 10th, 2021.
“When Ophelia steps on the stage with her flowers, she stops everything.”
TW⚠️ Drowning, grooming of a minor by an adult, homophobia, cheating, discussions about the death of a parent.
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
2.0
This book was just not for me - the author does an amazing job; very eloquent, emotional and some tough topics such as childhood cancer.
I found it very slow moving - each chapter just revealing a little more. Also the questionable relationship between Mauve and Stuart. Again very well written -just not for me.
I found it very slow moving - each chapter just revealing a little more. Also the questionable relationship between Mauve and Stuart. Again very well written -just not for me.
almostalice's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
gracefallsthroughtherabbithole's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jezebelrubee's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
chasingholden's review against another edition
3.0
‘’I have run from that summer, tried to forget its hazy pleasures and its tragedies, how it ended, how things fell apart. I have trusted the years to fade my memories and destroyed those photographs, never to be looked at again.’’
It was 1973. Ruth and her three friends spent that summer obsessed with Pre-Raphaelite women and began spending all their time near the water, recreating a couple of the most famous photos of Ophelia among others. It seemed harmless, and it was. for a while; Then it wasn't and there was no going back.
Fast forward 24 years and we again meet Ruth and her family as they return to Ruth's childhood home for the summer, hoping it will be good for her daughter Maeve, who had recently been hospitalized and treated and can now say she is healthy, but she's having a hard time finding her place in the world outside the hospital.
Enter Stuart and old friend of Ruth and her husband Alex, he also is spending the weekend nearby and involves himself in their life as much as possible.
We bounce between the past and present told and the narrative switches between Ruth and Maeve. The writing itself is beautiful. Jane Healey has a true talent for conjuring beautiful and haunt images with her phrases. However well written, this story is drawn out, nearly painful to read. There's some interesting symbolism represented which is nice when its recognized but that's about all the praise I can muster for this story. The Ophelia Girls takes the reader on an unexpected journey leading you to a point of being uncomfortable at best.
I had such high hopes for this story. I regret to report that in my opinion it has fallen flat and will not hold up next to the rise of literature inspired by or rooted in myth.
Thank you to netgalley and publisher for providing an advanced e-copy in exchange for my review.
It was 1973. Ruth and her three friends spent that summer obsessed with Pre-Raphaelite women and began spending all their time near the water, recreating a couple of the most famous photos of Ophelia among others. It seemed harmless, and it was. for a while; Then it wasn't and there was no going back.
Fast forward 24 years and we again meet Ruth and her family as they return to Ruth's childhood home for the summer, hoping it will be good for her daughter Maeve, who had recently been hospitalized and treated and can now say she is healthy, but she's having a hard time finding her place in the world outside the hospital.
Enter Stuart and old friend of Ruth and her husband Alex, he also is spending the weekend nearby and involves himself in their life as much as possible.
We bounce between the past and present told and the narrative switches between Ruth and Maeve. The writing itself is beautiful. Jane Healey has a true talent for conjuring beautiful and haunt images with her phrases. However well written, this story is drawn out, nearly painful to read. There's some interesting symbolism represented which is nice when its recognized but that's about all the praise I can muster for this story. The Ophelia Girls takes the reader on an unexpected journey leading you to a point of being uncomfortable at best.
I had such high hopes for this story. I regret to report that in my opinion it has fallen flat and will not hold up next to the rise of literature inspired by or rooted in myth.
Thank you to netgalley and publisher for providing an advanced e-copy in exchange for my review.
jj_99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
littearacy's review against another edition
3.0
Obsessed with Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Ophelia, Ruth and her friends spend a summer taking photos in the river - until tragedy strikes. 30 years later, Ruth and her family return to the summer house, meeting an old friend of hers. An old friend who awakes new interests in Ruth's daughter.
I had a hard time rating the book because in general, I really liked it! But oh gosh
I had a hard time rating the book because in general, I really liked it! But oh gosh