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s_mavin's review against another edition
3.0
This book truly shines in terms of historical accuracy and prose. Some descriptions were truly comical and enjoyable. Akbar’s reflections on his life and the future of his dynasty were also beautiful.
The chapters based in Florence were long, tedious and slightly pointless. It dampens every bit of enthusiasm the earlier part built up. Qara Koz, who is supposed to be at the centre of the plot, is the most underwhelming female character I have ever encountered. Niccolo Vespucci aka Mogor dell’Amore is another character whose story has holes that were begging to be filled. I especially didn’t appreciate slandering Khanzada’s character at all. And where does the phantom Jodhabai go? The description of all the women in this book is despicable. Niccolo’s ‘secret’ at the end of this entire saga is more underwhelming than Qara Koz’s enchantment. Oh yes, the actual enchantment was drab. This could have been done so much better.
I ended the book feeling deeply dissatisfied. The Enchantress of Florence leaves so much to be desired.
The chapters based in Florence were long, tedious and slightly pointless. It dampens every bit of enthusiasm the earlier part built up. Qara Koz, who is supposed to be at the centre of the plot, is the most underwhelming female character I have ever encountered. Niccolo Vespucci aka Mogor dell’Amore is another character whose story has holes that were begging to be filled. I especially didn’t appreciate slandering Khanzada’s character at all. And where does the phantom Jodhabai go? The description of all the women in this book is despicable. Niccolo’s ‘secret’ at the end of this entire saga is more underwhelming than Qara Koz’s enchantment. Oh yes, the actual enchantment was drab. This could have been done so much better.
I ended the book feeling deeply dissatisfied. The Enchantress of Florence leaves so much to be desired.
waltzsofa's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
brizreading's review against another edition
2.0
Emperor Akbar's Moghul court is cool. The Medici's Renaissance Florence is very cool. But put them together and it's, oddly, just like... meh.
sarahreadsaverylot's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A beautifully written examination of the dual powers of history and imagination.
A beautifully written examination of the dual powers of history and imagination.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
I love reading Rushdie, and this book harks back to his earlier, lighter style. I had a hard time getting into it and it did not sweep me away as some of his other books did. It gave me a hint of the fabulous, but never quite took me there.
thepentheimk's review against another edition
2.0
Rushdie's spin on mythology and history is far less interesting than mythology or history. Sorry, buddy.
greeniezona's review against another edition
4.0
I don't remember precisely where or when, but this ook was another impulse buy when I was bored in a bookstore. I'm always willing to take a chance on Salman Rushdie -- even his books that I wasn't entirely crazy about were usually enjoyable or interesting enough in some way that made them feel worth my time and investment as a reader. Also, I confess that I was drawn in by the good cover design -- the rich colors and antiqued gold look. So I bought it.
With my crazy life, it's difficult to ever give a book my undivided attention, and that was definitely a detraction in this case. For Enchantress sprawls across continents and generations, with unfamiliar names that sometimes seem to blend together. I often found myself having to flip back to remind myself which character was which.
On the other hand, there were portions of this book that were absolutely entrancing, when the story called to me every time I had to put the book down, and these sections flowed beautifully with Rushdie's magical lyricism.
But there was so much in this book that it was occasionally weighed down by its riches. Transitions from story to story, place to place and time to time sometimes seemed abrupt. Some details never seemed to connect to the tapestry and left me wondering why they'd been included at all. Then there was that ending -- strange, troubling and lacking in poetry.
In balance, I'd say that the strengths of those delightful passages were enough to earn The Enchantress high marks in my book. Had the rest of the novel lived up to these moments, it could have been near perfection.
With my crazy life, it's difficult to ever give a book my undivided attention, and that was definitely a detraction in this case. For Enchantress sprawls across continents and generations, with unfamiliar names that sometimes seem to blend together. I often found myself having to flip back to remind myself which character was which.
On the other hand, there were portions of this book that were absolutely entrancing, when the story called to me every time I had to put the book down, and these sections flowed beautifully with Rushdie's magical lyricism.
But there was so much in this book that it was occasionally weighed down by its riches. Transitions from story to story, place to place and time to time sometimes seemed abrupt. Some details never seemed to connect to the tapestry and left me wondering why they'd been included at all. Then there was that ending -- strange, troubling and lacking in poetry.
In balance, I'd say that the strengths of those delightful passages were enough to earn The Enchantress high marks in my book. Had the rest of the novel lived up to these moments, it could have been near perfection.
pnwskeptic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
danhub's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0