Reviews

The Girl Who Became a Tree: A Story Told in Poems by Joseph Coelho

booksletusescape's review

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hopeful 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

3.0

paperbackjpg's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

ellenisntcool's review

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challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

strawb3rries's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

hayitsabi's review

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1.0

This book just was really not to my taste. It is entirely written in poetry and although the plot is intriguing it failed to capture my interest.

kba76's review

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3.0

Before the Carnegie shortlist comes out, I always try to read as many of the books up for consideration as possible. My ability to do so is dependent on getting ARCs via NetGalley and my library having the books in stock. I could not get my hands on a copy of The Girl Who Became a Tree...and I know it won’t be a popular view, but I don’t feel able to justify paying £12.99 for a book that I know so little about. However, with Shadowing underway I was finally able to dip into this.
The cover is not something I immediately felt enticed by. The colours seem dark and quite off-putting and it’s very hard to get a feel for the book when you first pick it up. I know the myth of Daphne, and I found myself wondering how this could be transferred to a modern setting. Having read the book I’m still unsure whether this was happening in her head or whether we were exploring a metaphorical transformation.
The illustrations offer some insight into the story, but I didn’t feel they developed it in the way I thought they might. Scattered throughout, they felt quite detached from the text.
I confess to still not knowing exactly what caused Daphne to feel so alone, or why the library setting was chosen. There were some poems that I found incredibly moving, and I liked the visual appeal of the way some of the poems were presented. Ultimately, though, I spent most of the book in a state of confusion and I think I have to resign myself to not being a fan.

rainbow_reader's review

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4.0

It was nice when I read it but tbh it is probably one I will forget soon.

readintheclouds's review

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

milliehenderson05's review

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4.0

enjoyed this book quite a lot! quick and easy read, based around feelings of loss and the acceptance of that loss with bits of greek mythology too so was quite interesting to read!

seequinn's review

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challenging reflective sad 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

2.5