Reviews

Consequences by E.M. Delafield

emma_louise_books's review

4.0

"Consequences" is by no means a lighthearted read but one which is certainly thought provoking and insightful of the social, economic and religious conventions which restricted women during the victorian era.

In my opinion Delafield is an admirable storyteller capturing the reader with engaging characters and vivid scene setting making this moving story a real page turner. I will certainly be reading more books written by Delafield.

bronwynmb's review

4.0

This was really lovely and heartbreaking. It’s beautifully written and you feel for Alex at every turn, and want to yell at her too. There’s so much emotion and feeling in Alex, you want her story to be different than it is.

camillalice's review

4.0

I wasn't sure throughout the novel whether I like Alex or not. I struggled to empathize with her, yet I felt incredibly sorry for her. I think that's where the writing is so good.
What a sad and powerful story.

elzbthj's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

naima0615's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

 This was a depressing book which really snaps you out of any romantic notions you may have about the Victorian era. Alex Clare is an unusual heroine; she is shallow, emotionally clumsy and unsympathetic but it is because of her upper class childhood being confined to a nursery and the sudden catapult into adulthood that she is this way. She fails to understand what is expected of her and can't conform to society's ideals. Furthermore, as a woman, there is not much scope for her apart from getting married and bearing children. I could truly feel Delafield's anger as she critiqued Victorian morale. A very emotional and compelling read.

 

alia0ftheknife's review

dark sad medium-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? Yes

2.0

This is not about a girl who is "awkward and oversensitive and gets everything wrong", as the blurb suggests. This is a nearly relentless deep dive into someone whose mental health is unravelling, with those around her systematically undermining her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicide

paulina_papaya's review

5.0

It really snaps you out of romanticizing victorian era. It’s a very practical and literal representation of what turn-of-the-century reality was, unlike the usual poetic and vaque descriptions of a general gloom fear in society.

netanya's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

kayo32's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

anne2021's review

4.0

Another splendid reprint by Persephone. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, despite wanting to beat the protagonist repeatedly with a blunt object. The author implies that Alex is the way she is because of the way she was raised. However, her two sisters turned out all right. She is, quite simply, a moron (although that may be my 21st century take on things). She is incapable of doing anything right, has zero confidence (entirely understandable) and basically needs to be taken by the hand. I had little empathy for Alex. However, superb writing more than makes up for her.