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schnauzermum's review against another edition
2.0
This curious book has received a fair bit of attention over the last couple of years. Du Maurier imagines a world in which there’s a referendum, the UK leaves Europe and forms a new relationship with the US and other English-speaking countries. Supposedly this relationship is one of equals, but in fact it is more like a takeover. The people of the Cornish town of Poldrea find US marines stationed among them. The novel explores their reactions.
The premise is intriguing, but is let down by quite sketchy characterisation. At the centre are an elderly former actress (Mad - short for ‘Madam’), her granddaughter (through whose eyes we see the events) and the six boys that Mad has adopted. None of these had much depth.
This is no Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel. I struggled to finish it because there was little tension and I found that I did not really care what was going to happen next, and the ending rather fizzles out. If we hadn’t had our own referendum in real life in the UK, this novel would probably have remained one for du Maurier completists only.
The premise is intriguing, but is let down by quite sketchy characterisation. At the centre are an elderly former actress (Mad - short for ‘Madam’), her granddaughter (through whose eyes we see the events) and the six boys that Mad has adopted. None of these had much depth.
This is no Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel. I struggled to finish it because there was little tension and I found that I did not really care what was going to happen next, and the ending rather fizzles out. If we hadn’t had our own referendum in real life in the UK, this novel would probably have remained one for du Maurier completists only.
phoebe912's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
amerdale's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
yorkslass70's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eringow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
1.75
shirin_mandi's review against another edition
4.0
کتاب ماد با نام اصلی Rule Britannia با نام غول ماورای اقیانوس نیز شناخته میشود. ماد را انتشارات کیان با ترجمهی عنایتالله شکیباپور منتشر کرده است.
fhm1998's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katyla's review against another edition
4.0
A very relevant and poignant book, especially in the wake of the UK leaving the EU - really hope Du Maurier hasn't foreseen the future that awaits us...