Reviews

Violets by Alex Hyde

yasmin15's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

alpha_build's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jennytoomany's review against another edition

sad slow-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? No

4.25

bethanllystawel's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

gabie_east's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

nicky___noo's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective slow-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

3.5

vahalaemma's review

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

pernille's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

e_m_r's review against another edition

5.0

If you loved Small Pleasures from Clare Chambers, then you’ll adore Alex Hyde’s debut…

I devoured this book in hours thanks to its engaging prose and fully formed characters. Violet, two Violets in fact, who live separate lives during the Second World War. Set during the dying days of the war, this beautiful debut tells the story of loss and motherhood through two very different lenses for each of our Violet’s, with one living in the Welsh Valleys and grappling with the loss of a baby and future procreation, and another who is serving in the war on the frontline, carrying a baby out of wedlock and removed from the identity she sees for herself.

Their stories, both unique and yet the same in many ways, slowly intertwine as the story progresses, as their stories progress, with a finish that is both unexpected but deeply satisfying as an invested reader.

I couldn’t put this book down and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about these two women. They are multi-dimensional, complex and rich in detail; I became close to them and invested in them. Hyde writes beautifully, with all of the rage, hope, optimism and defeat you want when digesting the complexity of the female experience. A triumph.

bobthebookerer's review against another edition

4.0

This beautiful and lyrical book is a little gem- two women, both named Violet, both experiencing war and motherhood, albeit quite differently, see their lives run in parallel to each other.

The book speeds along, in tender and rich prose as the two women’s lives unfold alongside the troubles of war and what remains concealed. Something about this book was deeply enchanting, the imagery and language always a delight, and sometimes brutal and shocking in its observations, but always bewitching.

I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.