Reviews tagging 'Classism'

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

5 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

I am in a distinct minority in that I was not bowled over by this book. It’s a feather-light trifle, fairly bloodless, without much tension. 

The two main characters are fun, both outsiders in Victorian society. I enjoyed them a lot but the plot was so-so. Veronica, the heroine, is noted for her cleverness but she seems astonishingly dense for about the first half of the book. I *never* can figure out mysteries but even I knew what was happening from almost the beginning - though the circus was a surprise. 

I’m not intrigued enough to read the next eight in the series. It just felt like the author was trying too hard. I don’t know how to explain it better. I read her Killers of a Certain Age and thought it was delightful. This was merely okay. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Murder, and Violence

eleek0609's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Death, Fatphobia, Murder, Ableism, Abandonment, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Misogyny

wilybooklover's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

2.0

I would’ve liked Veronica’s characterisation as bold and before her time if she also didn’t feel so disdainful of and superior to other women and anything she perceives as feminine. As it was, it came across as Not Like Other Girls style internalised misogyny and combined with the caricatural portrayal of almost every other woman but Veronica it really ruined my enjoyment of the book. 

Also, exactly how many skills is Stoker supposed to have before it strains my credulity? He’s a natural historian and taxidermist, a tracker and hunter, a former expedition leader, a former magician/knife-thrower in a circus, a surgeon who served in the Navy... all of which he is apparently exemplary at. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Classism, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Xenophobia

Minor: Colonisation and Sexual content

saricostanzo's review against another edition

I just was not into the casual colonialism. I get that it’s historical fiction-ish but I don’t want or need descriptions of mounting elephant carcasses for showing off to rich white people. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

thereadingnurse2021's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Classism, and Sexism

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail