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meetmeinmalkovich's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not a huge fan of utopian novels, but I was in search of a short read to catch up on my reading challenge. I’ve read several books from Nathanial Hawthorne before and he’s really hit or miss for me.
Contrary to the title, it’s not a romance, but the title is a nod to a literary style of writing, in this case romanticizing an “ideal” society. Cloverdale is an odd character and narrator as he is sometimes cast out and he is also an unreliable narrator because his accounts of other characters are…lacking.
Some people find it profound, but it left me thinking “that was just alright.”
On to the next I suppose.
Contrary to the title, it’s not a romance, but the title is a nod to a literary style of writing, in this case romanticizing an “ideal” society. Cloverdale is an odd character and narrator as he is sometimes cast out and he is also an unreliable narrator because his accounts of other characters are…lacking.
Some people find it profound, but it left me thinking “that was just alright.”
On to the next I suppose.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite Hawthorne (reserved for the Scarlett Letter) but still an interesting read. The story itself is a little over melodramatic but what makes it worthwhile is the placement of the story in a New England transcendentalist commune.
poorlenore's review against another edition
I was expecting this would be rather boring but was pleasantly surprised. Great ending. Hawthorne has a way of using a narrator that is not exactly likable but interesting.
zionelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pumpkinette's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
aterry82's review against another edition
3.0
huh. Weird book, but enjoyable. I want to live on Brook Farm
jaredpence's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is so fun to read and the narrator, Coverdale, is funny. It seems incredibly dramatic because of the language, even though the plot is relatively calm.
lyssalovereads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy Nathaniel Hawthorne as a writer. He has a way of creating an intriguing story line with characters that you fall in love with, or can easily despise. I enjoyed this novel, and was not expecting the end! I'm glad I read it.
lenny9987's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5