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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book as part of the Women's Fiction Prize read-along. This book won the Orange Prize for Women's Fiction in 2001.
This novel is very redolent of Australia...the atmosphere, the slang, etc. I alternated listening to it on audio and reading the hardcover version. The main characters in the book are socially awkward middle aged divorcees. Harley has been married 3 times and Douglas has been married once. They have both come to the small Australian bush town of Karakarook for different reasons. Harley is an expert quilter and part-time curator at a museum in Sydney who has journeyed to the small town to help them set up their own heritage museum. Meanwhile, Douglas is an engineer and is in town to demolish an old bridge and construct a new one. So, Harley is in town to help them save their heritage and Douglas is there to destroy it (at least the old bridge). Both of them are dealing with their own emotional baggage and regrets.
The story was lightly amusing and charming as these two bumbled along doing their thing and find their way to each other and find an unlikely connection. We also meet a few other townspeople, including Felicity who is seemingly obsessed with removing imperfections from her life. For example,She avoids smiling too much so that she won't develop wrinkles.
It reminded me in some ways of The Shipping News by Annie Proulx in that it was the story of everyday people in a remote environ. The story was definitely character-centric rather than plot driven. The story slowly unwinds as we get glimpses inside the character's thoughts and they reveal more about themselves.
somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars.
pixie_d's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
sweet_sakura's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
The bird calls are very cute.
Listening length 10 hr, 45 min
Listening length 10 hr, 45 min
pallavi_sharma87's review against another edition
5.0
*****5.0*****
The story actually revolves around 3 people in a small town called "Karakarook".
1.Harley Savage - a museum curator
2.Douglas Cheeseman- an engineer
3.Mrs.Felicity Porcelline - a common but beauty conscious housewife
Different people meet at a small place, different ideas, different relations, differents views and problems.A place where things dont happen, things are known, things that not cared about and people simple enough and easy with their life.
Writer has beautifully written the "awkward" moments in characters life (as well as ours), which naturally are pushed back. The story has a happy ending and shows a wonderful conversation between our minds and others (which actually goes on concurrently).
Happy Reading!!
The story actually revolves around 3 people in a small town called "Karakarook".
1.Harley Savage - a museum curator
2.Douglas Cheeseman- an engineer
3.Mrs.Felicity Porcelline - a common but beauty conscious housewife
Different people meet at a small place, different ideas, different relations, differents views and problems.A place where things dont happen, things are known, things that not cared about and people simple enough and easy with their life.
Writer has beautifully written the "awkward" moments in characters life (as well as ours), which naturally are pushed back. The story has a happy ending and shows a wonderful conversation between our minds and others (which actually goes on concurrently).
Happy Reading!!
thebobsphere's review against another edition
3.0
Kate Grenville’s The idea of Perfection is the only Women’s Prize winner I DNF’d and since I am a completist, I felt like it was time to revisit it.
This time round I finished it.
Plotwise I was reminded of Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda, that is two seemingly different misfits join forces, although their causes are different. In this case the setting is a small Australian village where mild mannered Douglas Cheeseman is hired to tear is down while Harley Savage is sent by the government to preserve the town’s heritage. They both fall in love. There is a subplot featuring a town person’s affair with a butcher.
What I liked about the book was the way Kate Grenville would sneak in little details about the protagonists, The two main ones have suffered from broken marriages and mental health issues. Slowly we get a full picture of both Harley and Douglas. I also liked the descriptions of the small town characters, especially Chook the multi tasking builder who has an endless supply of opinions all told in a slang that Douglas cannot understand.
The book begins to drag with the subplot. It gets boring hearing the towns person cheat on her husband and Harley and douglas’ romance follows a rom com pattern which wears itself out after a bit. Plus at 400 pages the book does overstay it’s welcome.
The Idea of Perfection starts off well and takes a dip about midway. For a person who is a fan of The Women’s Prize winners this came a bit of surprise as I do find the choices consistent. Definitely not my favourite but it does rank quite low.
This time round I finished it.
Plotwise I was reminded of Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda, that is two seemingly different misfits join forces, although their causes are different. In this case the setting is a small Australian village where mild mannered Douglas Cheeseman is hired to tear is down while Harley Savage is sent by the government to preserve the town’s heritage. They both fall in love. There is a subplot featuring a town person’s affair with a butcher.
What I liked about the book was the way Kate Grenville would sneak in little details about the protagonists, The two main ones have suffered from broken marriages and mental health issues. Slowly we get a full picture of both Harley and Douglas. I also liked the descriptions of the small town characters, especially Chook the multi tasking builder who has an endless supply of opinions all told in a slang that Douglas cannot understand.
The book begins to drag with the subplot. It gets boring hearing the towns person cheat on her husband and Harley and douglas’ romance follows a rom com pattern which wears itself out after a bit. Plus at 400 pages the book does overstay it’s welcome.
The Idea of Perfection starts off well and takes a dip about midway. For a person who is a fan of The Women’s Prize winners this came a bit of surprise as I do find the choices consistent. Definitely not my favourite but it does rank quite low.
tcm_62's review against another edition
5.0
A 'good for the soul' kind of read. Quirky, comic and very uplifting, this novel is set in small town Australia and leaves you with a feeling that there is hope for all of us.
Thoroughly recommended.
Thoroughly recommended.
mya_kershaw_dann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vanessar's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a touching and in places funny read about accepting imperfection in ourselves. Very believable characters.
peter_fischer's review against another edition
5.0
This is a most beautiful love story, set in rural Australia, about two ordinary people. The characters are so well drawn, they almost leap off the page. Written with gentle humour and compassion, this story celebrates us normal, unattractive, and socially shy and awkward people. This novel is a real gem!