Reviews

Csendélet by Sarah Winman

audreyng_29's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.25

holyjambatman's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was thrown into a world of characters who were halfway in their problems before I got to know them, Iearning them even as they were learning themselves, and becoming a part of their family at the same time their family was becoming whole. 

I felt wrapped in the comfortable embrace of this book.

kindlyreadwithme's review against another edition

Just read Still Life by Sarah Winman for my book group. The book depicts a British soldier beginning at the end of World War II and charts his return and the relationships he forges in Florence, Italy, and the UK. While Ulysses Temper has no family-by-blood, through his good nature and some lucky happenings (no spoilers here), he forms a family of friends that accumulates over the years and traverses multiple countries and the complexities that relationships bring with them. It is a very rich book, with many details which paint a realistic, sweet, but sometimes challenging picture. This is not one that you can fly through, because each detail seems important, you want to savor it and the characters Winman creates. I love a book that makes you miss the characters when you are done and this book did just that.

ibartels07's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

enclose9698's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

glorianakafu's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

chefjeng's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I adored this book after a very stilting start. I listened to it on audible and the first two or three goes I just couldn't get into it and didn't make it past the part where the scene is set during the war. One day whilst at work I had run out of credits to spend on new audio books and decided to persevere and I am so glad I did as I fell in love. I didn't want the story to end and I wanted to stay immersed in it's madcap cast of characters lives forever. 

lmbs's review against another edition

So slow. Didn't connect with any of the characters so the lack of plot was agony.

nikkimoniquereads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

hollywholly's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25