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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
This is basically the tv show/limited series but you get to read the inner thoughts/context behind certain moments, such as George’s experience running into the gardens naked late at night and Charlotte claiming she was Venus. We get the third-person, past-tense POVs of Brimsley, Agatha, Charlotte, and George.
It was a tender and bittersweet read, and I teared up while reading because I could vividly remember the scenes from Netflix lol. I definitely winced each time characters were discussing George’s mental health because he is called “broken” and “a mad man” multiple times. He never receives a specific diagnosis and everyone talks around it, but it was frustrating to hear mental health discussed as such a horrible, disdainful, shameful thing. I recognize that is representative “of the times” but it still felt uncomfortable reading the ableism and prejudice they all possessed.
Overall, this was a quick and easy historical romance to read, mostly because I was envisioning the tv series the entire time. I highly recommend the audiobook as the narration was excellent!
see content warnings below 🤎
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Mental illness, Racism, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
_evyn_'s review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism
chrysanthxmum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Racism and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Medical trauma, Torture, and Medical content
onefineelephant's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Torture, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Dementia
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
What a beautiful story about loving our family despite their flaws, persevering in hard times, and changing the world with our actions. Brava!
Moderate: Ableism, Torture, Dementia, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Sexual content