Reviews

A fairly dull and uneventful sorry about a woman who opens a bookshop and the challenges she faces as a result. Perhaps I've fried my story reading brain for subtle and nuanced storytelling like this but I kept waiting for this book to get going and it never did.

book_concierge's review against another edition

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3.0

Our book club discussion helped me appreciate it more, but I still don't really like the book. Perhaps the "humor" is just too British for me. It deals with courage in the face of small-mindedness. Maybe I can't appreciate a story without the "romantic" ending (romantic in the sense that "everything turns out well").

alannah_m's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

fluffy1st's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

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3.0

Read this for book club. I would never have picked it up so that is good. It was published in 1978 so it was showing the attitudes and customs of the time. A middle aged widow is thwarted by the social elite in her community in her aim to start a bookshop. Most people bow to the influence of Violet who runs the village. Poor Florence is basically hounded out and left even without the value of her property she is forced to leave in shame. A line talks about how it is exhilerating to leave a mark. Her ambition seemed reasonable although she had little research or knowledge of the industry. It was wet and miserable matching the fenland landscape. The writing was accomplished and witty.

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