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bookmarkonthewall's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
annrhub's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lvleggett's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Dolly Maunder is restless - she wants a different kind of life from the first time she meets a female school teacher and realizes that there's more out there for her than she had been told. She sets out to make it happen. Of course, it's not a smooth path. Her father prohibits. Her lovers make choices that aren't her. But she finds a way to build something for herself in early 1900s Australia.
I enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book tremendously. Dolly is messy. She is a woman at a point of transition in history and as such, she doesn't make the right or the best decisions always. She is still fixed within certain norms. Her central relationships are all flawed. But she continues to strive to attain a different version of herself. Rising through the business ranks was the most enjoyable part of the story for me. Loved seeing her take risks and trust herself. The final third follows the final years of her life. There is more reflection and coming to terms. It is a solid conclusion for Dolly but I personally didn't need it.
This book seeks to understand the lives of the women who came before us. And in doing so, it prompts us to reflect on our own journeys and what we might hope to see for the future of the next generations of women - and men.
I'm glad I picked up this book. I think Dolly will stick with me for a while.
I enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book tremendously. Dolly is messy. She is a woman at a point of transition in history and as such, she doesn't make the right or the best decisions always. She is still fixed within certain norms. Her central relationships are all flawed. But she continues to strive to attain a different version of herself. Rising through the business ranks was the most enjoyable part of the story for me. Loved seeing her take risks and trust herself. The final third follows the final years of her life. There is more reflection and coming to terms. It is a solid conclusion for Dolly but I personally didn't need it.
This book seeks to understand the lives of the women who came before us. And in doing so, it prompts us to reflect on our own journeys and what we might hope to see for the future of the next generations of women - and men.
I'm glad I picked up this book. I think Dolly will stick with me for a while.
sankitch87's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookwormellie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cathebes's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thetwirlonthetrain's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
hagocpanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nadia's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I was excited when I started this book. I got on with the narrative voice and was so curious as to where the story was going...then it ended up being slightly underwhelming, boring, and repetitive.
I was rather disappointed come the end but when you learn of the context under which this book was written it adds some magic back to the whole thing, the knowledge of which contributed to my final rating.
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Soldier Sailor
2. Restless Dolly Maunder
I was rather disappointed come the end but when you learn of the context under which this book was written it adds some magic back to the whole thing, the knowledge of which contributed to my final rating.
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Soldier Sailor
2. Restless Dolly Maunder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual harassment