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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
This is my favorite piece of classic literature, especially from this era, and I truly wish I’d read it for school because I could have a thousand different discussions about how it was written and structured; how the characters were so nuanced; how the themes were so well explored. It was an incredibly intentional book and a very powerful reading experience.
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This short little novel packs a big punch. The exploration of class, loneliness, race and relationships was deep. Amongst the small set.of characters, there was strong juxtaposition between them all that clearly demonstrated the differences and similarities in their lives. The ending was not perfectly clear but perfect in that it left much for the reader to decide on their own and digest over time. I also am glad I read this as I can see how this early novel has informed and inspired other novels I've read that were written after this one.
emotional
sad
tense
i REALLY enjoyed this book but i don’t think i can say anything about it that hasn’t been said. not always the criteria for a book review, but knowing the breadth of knowledge available on this book specifically it would make my uninformed opinion feel a bit lacking. that being said i will state it anyway.
i liked the prose. the ending shocked me so terribly it eclipsed my view of the book as a whole for a bit – and in a way it still does, with how it re-framed the entire novel for me. i feel a little embarrassed to say i “fell” for the unreliable narrator in irene; not that i dislike her now, but i could empathize with her desire for safety and control in a way that made me sort of downplay the unsavory ways in which this desire manifested itself – it’s an uneasy reflection. i don’t even know how to approach clare. it’s tempting to say she ruined irene’s life, but i also feel like it was bound to collapse at some point – clare gallivanting into it only sped up the process. she is a mystery to us and irene and tragically that is all she can be. their relationship is incredibly fascinating & this book definitely left its mark on my brain.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
tense
fast-paced
An interesting premise and overall I’m glad I read the book.
It reminded me a lot of Virginia Woolf, so if you’re a fan then you’ll probably like this one too.
Enjoyed it but was never truly gripped by it. I’m not sure if it was the style of it, I heard there is a film adaptation and I will check that out.
It reminded me a lot of Virginia Woolf, so if you’re a fan then you’ll probably like this one too.
Enjoyed it but was never truly gripped by it. I’m not sure if it was the style of it, I heard there is a film adaptation and I will check that out.
Another book I read for class on our Harlem renaissance unit and I genuinely enjoyed reading this. The structure was a bit wonky but oh well
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes