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vsb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
loodle's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
I went to Ferrara to see the Palazzo Schifanoia in real life, and finished the book that night. I read George's story before Francesco's, and can't imagine reading it the other way around.
I like how obsessed with a single piece of artwork this story was.
I felt so sad for George. It was so funny when her father sees her on the iPad in the yard and wonders why she can't have normal teenaged problems. Was George's mother being followed by the authorities? We will never know.
I appreciated the almost stream-of-consciousness narration of Francesco's story, and the contrast in pacing between part one and two.
I like how obsessed with a single piece of artwork this story was.
I felt so sad for George. It was so funny when her father sees her on the iPad in the yard and wonders why she can't have normal teenaged problems. Was George's mother being followed by the authorities? We will never know.
I appreciated the almost stream-of-consciousness narration of Francesco's story, and the contrast in pacing between part one and two.
moominess's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Kind of a masterpiece of contemporary fiction, but it took me a while to get into and by the end of it I was left wanting more (though in a way maybe that was the point?)
hivanoff's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
syafa's review against another edition
funny
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
3.75
Kinda difficult to understand in the beginning, which mirrors the experience of the first person POV so it works. You get the hang of how to read it eventually but at the same time some sentences are half-finished and structured unconventionally which requires some focus when reading. Interesting themes though the writing usually makes you work to articulate your thoughts yourself vs giving you a pretty, punchy sentence. The first part (ironic given they're both "one") feels a lot less direct and since it's in a more unfamiliar setting to the reader, requires more thought work to understand. I think I preferred it to the second half though, a more interesting life because of its unfamiliarity. Funny in a sardonic kinda way (also ironic because that's how she's described in the book)
stephaniexpink's review against another edition
5.0
to love is to see, and to be loved is to be seen.
mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition
5.0
This book stunned me, bowled me over; partly of course because of its intricate, symmetrical and playful creativity, but more because I loved the narrative voices in both halves. I was captivated at once by being immersed in the moments of someone's life so vividly.
I read the modern section first and felt very close to the teenage girl protagonist; her life is drawn closely, minutely (and later on her main characteristic is described as "earnestness.") Then when the second half started I felt disorientated but was immediately swept into the 15thC. I was later surprised to read in the reviews that the book was printed randomly with each half in a different order and it made me wonder if my experience would have been very different reading the other way around. As it was I think it had a lot of poignancy through looking back in time and solving some of the unanswered questions of the first half.
All in all I felt nourished by this - food for the brain heart and soul!
I read the modern section first and felt very close to the teenage girl protagonist; her life is drawn closely, minutely (and later on her main characteristic is described as "earnestness.") Then when the second half started I felt disorientated but was immediately swept into the 15thC. I was later surprised to read in the reviews that the book was printed randomly with each half in a different order and it made me wonder if my experience would have been very different reading the other way around. As it was I think it had a lot of poignancy through looking back in time and solving some of the unanswered questions of the first half.
All in all I felt nourished by this - food for the brain heart and soul!