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amelie5m's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
indoorswoman's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
preciousbodle's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keepreadingbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I don’t think A Glove Shop in Vienna is necessarily for everyone, but for me it really hit the spot for my reading mood this time of year. In (most of) these stories, we go back to the world before World War I, a glittering world run by empires (I kind of picture the opening scene and narration of Anastasia as the vibes), and they are filled with delicious nostalgia and old-world romance. I won’t make the mistake of claiming the world was better back then – it absolutely wasn’t for the majority of people – but I’ve always felt an attraction to that time period and I will probably always be charmed by certain elements of it.
This was, in want of a better word, a truly indulgent read for me. I have taken so long to read this, not because I didn’t like it, but because I liked it so much. I didn’t want to spoil the reading experience by reading it on my noisy and interrupted commute, and I refused to start a story and not finish it in the same sitting (I wanted to stay in the atmosphere of each story until it was done), so I primarily read it in the evenings and usually only a story per evening. There was old-world Russia, Vienna, England, there was winter and Christmas and mostly happy endings and comforting feelings – and there was also old-fashioned stereotypes and gender roles, but oh, I didn’t mind too much. I just got cosy and enjoyed myself.
clarinette's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
A couple stories that weren't my speed, but overall, utterly fabulous.
c_joicey4's review against another edition
5.0
It's so nice reading some of Eva Ibbotson's short work, as it's not something she is traditionally associated with. This collection is an absolute gem of a work/works, and just goes to show just how in control of her craft she was!
librarykirsten's review against another edition
4.0
Why would you publish a short story collection without a contents page? Why, Pan Macmillan, why?
This collection doesn't quite hang together, and there are assumptions about marriage which don't hold up to modern scrutiny, but Ibbotson's wit and charm and ability to bring out the joy of ordinary life shine through. I'm generally not a fan of the love at first sight trope, or excuses for adultery, but Ibbotson's one of the few authors who can seduce me with both.
This collection doesn't quite hang together, and there are assumptions about marriage which don't hold up to modern scrutiny, but Ibbotson's wit and charm and ability to bring out the joy of ordinary life shine through. I'm generally not a fan of the love at first sight trope, or excuses for adultery, but Ibbotson's one of the few authors who can seduce me with both.