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vyhurz's review
4.0
I read this book when it was first published while I was in high school. I remembered loving it before beginning this re-read, but I didn’t remember much of the plot. I’m trying to get back into reading more, so I re-read The Hobbit, and now I’ve re-read A Great and Terrible Beauty, both easy, fun reads. This novel takes place in the late 1890s, and the late 19th century-early 20th century is my favorite period for historical fiction. There’s gothic and queer themes here, and I do love girls’ boarding school stories.
At the beginning of the story, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle’s mother dies, and she leaves India, where she’s lived almost all her life, to return to England. Her family is not warm, and they send her to a finishing school, Spence. Gemma takes some time to make friends since they’re not very welcoming to newcomers. Most of the girls come from wealthy families and are, well, snobs. Gemma shares her room with Ann, the only scholarship student who, because of her status, is an outcast. Because of certain events, Gemma and Ann soon form a friend group with Felicity and Pippa. These two are the most popular and envied girls of the school, though they have their own issues and problems with family. Each of the girls struggle with their place in life, society, and what everyone expects of them.
"No one asks how I am or what I am doing. They could not care less. We’re all looking glasses, we girls, existing only to reflect their images back to them as they’d like to be seen. Hollow vessels of girls to be rinsed of our own ambitions, wants, and opinions, just waiting to be filled with the cool, tepid water of gracious compliance."
There is another element to this book, however, and that is Gemma’s magical power. She begins by having visions and soon enters a magical realm. Most of the story involves this power and what it means for Gemma and her friends.
This is a young adult novel, so the writing is pretty streamlined. There are memorable and distinguished moments, though, both of writing and and plot. I read this book quickly, going to it almost every night, and sometimes during the day. Usually, I read once or twice a week at bedtime, which is why it takes me so long to get through a book. As I said earlier, I’m trying to get back into reading and read more books. Reading A Great and Terrible Beauty made me feel like I could enjoy the act again, not just try to finish a book.
This is a trilogy, and I intend to pick up the sequel, but not right away. I’m the kind of reader that can’t read the same thing, even the same genre, back-to-back.
tinyleafbooks.wordpress.com
At the beginning of the story, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle’s mother dies, and she leaves India, where she’s lived almost all her life, to return to England. Her family is not warm, and they send her to a finishing school, Spence. Gemma takes some time to make friends since they’re not very welcoming to newcomers. Most of the girls come from wealthy families and are, well, snobs. Gemma shares her room with Ann, the only scholarship student who, because of her status, is an outcast. Because of certain events, Gemma and Ann soon form a friend group with Felicity and Pippa. These two are the most popular and envied girls of the school, though they have their own issues and problems with family. Each of the girls struggle with their place in life, society, and what everyone expects of them.
"No one asks how I am or what I am doing. They could not care less. We’re all looking glasses, we girls, existing only to reflect their images back to them as they’d like to be seen. Hollow vessels of girls to be rinsed of our own ambitions, wants, and opinions, just waiting to be filled with the cool, tepid water of gracious compliance."
There is another element to this book, however, and that is Gemma’s magical power. She begins by having visions and soon enters a magical realm. Most of the story involves this power and what it means for Gemma and her friends.
This is a young adult novel, so the writing is pretty streamlined. There are memorable and distinguished moments, though, both of writing and and plot. I read this book quickly, going to it almost every night, and sometimes during the day. Usually, I read once or twice a week at bedtime, which is why it takes me so long to get through a book. As I said earlier, I’m trying to get back into reading and read more books. Reading A Great and Terrible Beauty made me feel like I could enjoy the act again, not just try to finish a book.
This is a trilogy, and I intend to pick up the sequel, but not right away. I’m the kind of reader that can’t read the same thing, even the same genre, back-to-back.
tinyleafbooks.wordpress.com
jbabiarz's review
3.0
It was an entertaining read. Although, it was most definitely young adult fiction. But I enjoyed it regardless!
chelford's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nostalgic read for me. I remember plucking this from the library's shelves nearly 20 years ago, and, although I've never re-read it until now, the story has stuck with me all this time. It's the book that taught me about Sappho, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Reading it now, after recently re-reading The Diviners, I have to say it doesn't shine as brightly as some of Bray's later works, and hearing slurs used throughout was a bit jarring. Overall, though, I'm still enthralled enough with Gemma and her world to finish my re-read of the trilogy.
harleyrae's review
3.0
3.5/5 Stars
In all I enjoyed this book, but it was nothing like I expected. Going into this book I was imagining a book more along the lines of Hex Hall with there being a boarding school and our main character finds out she has some sort of magical ability, and the story would unfold from there. Well it was kind of like, our main character Gemma does go to a boarding school(more like a finishing school) and she does find out she has a power of sorts but that's the only similarities. This book takes on a more gothic approach, which I actually did enjoy, it gave the book a little something different. What I did t like though was Gemma, I felt half the chooses she made were not good ones, and in the end she became incredibly annoying. I also wish there was a bit of romance, not all hooks need that hint of romance but I kind of feel it would have helped this book a hit more. Plus I wanted a bit more of Kartik in the story anyway. I also would have like maybe some other POV, Kartik being one of them. He was a mysterious character and clearly knew something we didn't. I would have like two sides to the story, to possibly better understand what exactly is going on.
All in all this was a decent book but it was missing something that would have made this ten times better. I'm not sure if I will continue on or not yet.
In all I enjoyed this book, but it was nothing like I expected. Going into this book I was imagining a book more along the lines of Hex Hall with there being a boarding school and our main character finds out she has some sort of magical ability, and the story would unfold from there. Well it was kind of like, our main character Gemma does go to a boarding school(more like a finishing school) and she does find out she has a power of sorts but that's the only similarities. This book takes on a more gothic approach, which I actually did enjoy, it gave the book a little something different. What I did t like though was Gemma, I felt half the chooses she made were not good ones, and in the end she became incredibly annoying. I also wish there was a bit of romance, not all hooks need that hint of romance but I kind of feel it would have helped this book a hit more. Plus I wanted a bit more of Kartik in the story anyway. I also would have like maybe some other POV, Kartik being one of them. He was a mysterious character and clearly knew something we didn't. I would have like two sides to the story, to possibly better understand what exactly is going on.
All in all this was a decent book but it was missing something that would have made this ten times better. I'm not sure if I will continue on or not yet.
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I did not want to put this book down and pouted about it when I had to. I loved the humor, character depth and storyline. I felt that Gemma started off as a spoiled little brat, and really grew and learned about herself. I found her and her friends relatable on various levels. Halfway through the book I had to get the rest of the series. I can't wait to read them! I've been describing it as "The Craft meets the Victorian Era."
For my complete review, as well as my answers to some of the discussion questions check out
http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2018/04/book-review-great-and-terrible-beauty-by-libba-bray.html
For my complete review, as well as my answers to some of the discussion questions check out
http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2018/04/book-review-great-and-terrible-beauty-by-libba-bray.html
sarahrheawerner's review
5.0
If you're a writer, have you ever read a book with simultaneous joy and despair that this book is EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE YOU ARE CURRENTLY WRITING?
Well, for me, the plot is different (yay), and the audience is different (yay), but that tone... whew. It's beautiful. Libba Bray nailed it perfectly.
This book is an astonishingly beautiful read and proves just how good YA literature can be.
Read it now!
Well, for me, the plot is different (yay), and the audience is different (yay), but that tone... whew. It's beautiful. Libba Bray nailed it perfectly.
This book is an astonishingly beautiful read and proves just how good YA literature can be.
Read it now!
chelseatm's review
3.0
I like Libba Bray's Diviner series and this was recommended by another author I like. However, this just didn't do it for me.
The language was descriptive and beautiful but I felt there was a lot lacking in the plot. She didn't quite flesh out her protagonist as she did the supporting characters and the pacing of the plot was like a teenager trying to learn how to drive a car for the first time. It was jerking between slow and fast.
I see where this novel could have soared but it jumped didn't reach those heights.
It's not a bad book but I can't recommend it.
The language was descriptive and beautiful but I felt there was a lot lacking in the plot. She didn't quite flesh out her protagonist as she did the supporting characters and the pacing of the plot was like a teenager trying to learn how to drive a car for the first time. It was jerking between slow and fast.
I see where this novel could have soared but it jumped didn't reach those heights.
It's not a bad book but I can't recommend it.