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novabird's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fantastic storyline not done justice. Undoubtedly Hall is a powerful writer. Unfortunately, her style of a mechanistic, steady stream of unending short sentence construction did not engage me. The effect for me was one of staccato and artificiality and this blocked me from immersement in what was a superb tale.
I understood her tone within the first few pages. It was hard-edged, world-wise, realistic to the point of dark cynicism. (her depiction of the aged is unnecessarily cruel and stark) I simply didn't want to go there with her character Rachel; it was not worth the shared journey to me to foray into a bitter land of smaller hopes. "A boiled in the bag Eden." This is a bitter land where death and sex collide and do not recognize the need for each other so there is no reconciliation between these disparate human conditions, no deepening of the experience.
What did cause me to stop in my tracks was, "nuclear cargo ghosts along railways at night," and I was like, "Wow, that is truly apt imagery and so telling!"
When I only read the first 50 pages, I typically don't allow myself to view the ending. That gift is usually reserved for full reads which I wait for. With this book, however, I was curious to see if the tone or style shifted; it did not. Possible spoiler ahead .. not sure as I didn't read the entire book.
"She didn't want to lumber him with childhood duties."
I understood her tone within the first few pages. It was hard-edged, world-wise, realistic to the point of dark cynicism. (her depiction of the aged is unnecessarily cruel and stark) I simply didn't want to go there with her character Rachel; it was not worth the shared journey to me to foray into a bitter land of smaller hopes. "A boiled in the bag Eden." This is a bitter land where death and sex collide and do not recognize the need for each other so there is no reconciliation between these disparate human conditions, no deepening of the experience.
What did cause me to stop in my tracks was, "nuclear cargo ghosts along railways at night," and I was like, "Wow, that is truly apt imagery and so telling!"
When I only read the first 50 pages, I typically don't allow myself to view the ending. That gift is usually reserved for full reads which I wait for. With this book, however, I was curious to see if the tone or style shifted; it did not. Possible spoiler ahead .. not sure as I didn't read the entire book.
"She didn't want to lumber him with childhood duties."
beloxi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0
meiklejohn's review against another edition
My new policy: I don't have to finish any book featuring a heroine who a) has successfully and intentionally avoided pregnancy for twenty-some years; b) has unprotected sex (which is wildly out of character) and then apparently just forgets that this act can have a consequence, so does nothing until she realizes she's eight weeks pregnant; c) "I was always meant to be a mommy!!" That's not a character, that's a forced-birther talking point and the rationale behind reproductive coercion. Extra eyerolls in this book because the heroine becoming a mother is written as an explicit parallel to the re-wilding of the wolves she's studying (instinctive, natural, etc).
cynicgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting a book about wolves. What I got was a book about a womans life, her pregnancy and her dysfunctional family.
Perhaps I didn't read the blurb well enough, but I couldn't help but be disappointed as this is not the style of book I would normally choose.
It was achingly slow paced and fairly dull except for the wolf bits which were interesting and well researched.
Not my cup of tea.
Perhaps I didn't read the blurb well enough, but I couldn't help but be disappointed as this is not the style of book I would normally choose.
It was achingly slow paced and fairly dull except for the wolf bits which were interesting and well researched.
Not my cup of tea.
elisamorvena's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emmajoetta's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
englishmadeline8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
paulsnelling's review against another edition
4.0
A wandering expert oversees introduction of a pair of wolves to Cumbria, and as they acclimatise and find their home so she finds her place in the world. Not fully plausible, at the end, but engaging and well written.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2020/02/20/review-1474-the-wolf-border/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2020/02/20/review-1474-the-wolf-border/