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margot_p's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Quel bonheur de retrouver cette saga ! Je ne pensais pas l'aimer autant, surtout que mes goûts ont évolués en 3 ans !
Mais j'ai savouré les intrigues politiques, j'ai adoré les personnages (Grigori, Maud, Walter, Ethel, je les aime de tout mon cœur eux 💞), certains personnages étaient agaçants mais j'ai adoré les suivre tout de même. J'aime l'écriture aussi : simple, se rapprochant presque d'un documentaire, mais parfois belle quand il le faut !
Je comprends les critiques que ce livre peut avoir : oui il y a beaucoup de scènes sexuelles, oui c'est parfois lent...
Mais cela n'entrave pas mon bonheur pour ce livre, alors je mets 5 🌟
Quelques citations que j'aime 💞 :
"They had waited half the night to see the passing of the train that held the hope of the world. "
"And who will win in the end?"
"The Russian people," Gus said. "They will win in the end."
"Gentlemen, you are history. Fellow workers, we are the future!"
"Fitz realized how clever Walter had been. Not rude, but discreetly provocative, he had stung the representatives of each nation into confirming, in more or less belligerent language, their territorial ambitions."
"Maud was passionate about everything :poverty, women rights, music - and Walter. He felt amazed and privileged that she had fallen in love with him. "
Mais j'ai savouré les intrigues politiques, j'ai adoré les personnages (Grigori, Maud, Walter, Ethel, je les aime de tout mon cœur eux 💞), certains personnages étaient agaçants mais j'ai adoré les suivre tout de même. J'aime l'écriture aussi : simple, se rapprochant presque d'un documentaire, mais parfois belle quand il le faut !
Je comprends les critiques que ce livre peut avoir : oui il y a beaucoup de scènes sexuelles, oui c'est parfois lent...
Mais cela n'entrave pas mon bonheur pour ce livre, alors je mets 5 🌟
Quelques citations que j'aime 💞 :
"They had waited half the night to see the passing of the train that held the hope of the world. "
"And who will win in the end?"
"The Russian people," Gus said. "They will win in the end."
"Gentlemen, you are history. Fellow workers, we are the future!"
"Fitz realized how clever Walter had been. Not rude, but discreetly provocative, he had stung the representatives of each nation into confirming, in more or less belligerent language, their territorial ambitions."
"Maud was passionate about everything :poverty, women rights, music - and Walter. He felt amazed and privileged that she had fallen in love with him. "
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is utterly epic in scale, and it could have been incredibly difficult to follow all the different strands of story that weaved through the grand backdrop of the First World War. But it's a testament to the strength of the characters Follett created that I was never bored. The book begins in 1911 and ends in 1924, following a number of families in different circumstances. From Russian workers to British and German aristocrats, Welsh miners and American diplomats, the history of The Great War is unfolded through their stories and it is absolutely fascinating.
So much of the political nuance (which has been carefully researched) I had no idea about, and it was really interesting to read something that encompassed so many facets of society that had an effect on the outcome of the war. There have been so many stories centred on trench warfare (and those chapters are brilliantly written here), but I knew so little about the political battles to end (and in some cases prolong) the war, the rise of the suffragettes in London and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia.
When separated from the huge story, the characters themselves were also really engaging. Grigori Peshkov is so idealistic and noble after a tragic childhood, while his irresponsible brother Lev fritters away his opportunities. Maud Fitzherbert and Ethel Williams are a lady and a maid respectively, and form an unlikely and wonderful alliance while fighting for women's rights. There are characters to love, and some I loved to hate. There are love stories between classes and warring nationalities, and there is still so much more of the 20th century to encounter. I can't wait to read the second installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Child death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
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