Reviews

The Celestials by Karen Shepard

cheraford's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Beautifully written story.

ghoulscientist's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

clellman's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Historical fiction at its best. It was really interesting to learn some of this local-ish history (Chinese laborers in North Adams, MA in the 1870s), and I wished there had been an afterward explaining what was historical fact and which parts were fictionalized. I liked the writing-the narrator really stayed within the 1870s. Also employed some really spot-on similes.

Surprised to see so many goodreads reviewers panning this :(

asukagoto's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

3.5 rounded up to 4

readtotheend's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I really wanted to like this book but it didn't even pique my interest until I was 43% in and by that time, I already could predict how the book was going to play out. Clearly, not the kind of book for me.

magicschooltokoro's review against another edition

Go to review page

I was disappointed that the relationship between Ida and Charlie Sing was only described matter-of-factly in retrospect as a wrap up. We only were made privy to her vague longing even she didn't fully understand, weren't experiencing the developments along with them. I did like her perspective though.
More...