Reviews

An Experiment in Leisure by Anna Glendenning

readingventures's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

checkie's review against another edition

1.0

An Experiment in Leisure is about a twenty-something-year-old named Grace moving to London from Yorkshire to make her own way in the world. I picked it up as a comforting read to accompany my own move to London and boy was that a misjudgement. It was the antithesis of a comforting, relatable or even enjoyable reading experience. 

The book touches on themes of class, politics, sexuality and the state of modern day Britain although the writing style is so abstract that none of these themes are explored in a meaningful way or with an ounce of depth. For instance, Grace’s father dies early on in the novel but beyond a mention to her mother of the incident to explain away her bad mood this enormous event is glossed over and not mentioned again in the novel. Similarly, it is suggested that Grace has a challenging and fraught relationship with her mother or sister although this is never explored and we as readers see them being nothing but nice which is very confusing. All the other characters are barely fleshed out but mentioned in a way that assumes a certain level of background knowledge making parts of the novel very difficult to follow. 

This was a really disappointing read that frankly I wish I’d never picked up. 

jmckeough's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

kennedyfio_'s review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

greydaze's review

mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

izzi_pinnock's review

challenging dark emotional reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

elliehamilton38's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

bellareadssomuchyoullexplode's review

dark funny lighthearted relaxing 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

3.75

phg_q's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

charl's review

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Unusual style of writing I loved/hated