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laurenkara's review
4.0
This was quite different to what I was expecting, but it was a really eye opening and unique read. At times it was quite difficult too, but that's what I love. I'll try and have a review up soon!
mitrajiyan's review
3.5
I don’t feel like Kirsten’s story needed to harp on her Lewis backstory as much as it did, and I’m unsure how I feel about the ending. I don’t really read gothic novels and maybe the heaviness and certain kitschy choices go with the genre so who am I to judge. This was very atmospheric and eerie which I enjoyed. A quick and fun read!
antonyiah's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
nnicduffy's review
3.0
3.5 Stars. Bodies of Water written by V.H.Leslie
There was a moment in this book where both characters, one born in the nineteenth century and one born in today’s time, stand in the same place, divided by time. I’ve always found this a fascinating concept and whenever I go to an historic venue, this thought always crosses my mind ‘who has stood in this very place before me and what was their story?
This haunting gothic novella set on the Thames explores the water cure and 19th century ideas and practices associated with women’s health. It was intriguing and plunged me down my own watery hole of finding out more about the historic facts associated with the water cure, gaining a whole new understanding of the term ‘quack doctors’. It stands as another reminder of what women in the 19th century endured in the name of science.
I did feel that the story was slightly distracted by the love interest aspects of the book, finding myself more taken with the eerie watery environment and the women in their own right.
Definitely going to read more novellas this year.
There was a moment in this book where both characters, one born in the nineteenth century and one born in today’s time, stand in the same place, divided by time. I’ve always found this a fascinating concept and whenever I go to an historic venue, this thought always crosses my mind ‘who has stood in this very place before me and what was their story?
This haunting gothic novella set on the Thames explores the water cure and 19th century ideas and practices associated with women’s health. It was intriguing and plunged me down my own watery hole of finding out more about the historic facts associated with the water cure, gaining a whole new understanding of the term ‘quack doctors’. It stands as another reminder of what women in the 19th century endured in the name of science.
I did feel that the story was slightly distracted by the love interest aspects of the book, finding myself more taken with the eerie watery environment and the women in their own right.
Definitely going to read more novellas this year.
caitlinluter's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
illustrated_librarian's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
mickeymole's review
4.0
Fantastic debut novel. Gothic has to be really good for me to keep reading. I plowed right on through this. Fine writing. I would read it again.
sophiefrancoiselucie's review
4.0
I was certainly not expecting such an end. This is a sad book. Do not be fooled by the sisterhood or whatever vibe you might feel you're getting from this story on women and heroines. This is quite depressing. I don't really know how to feel and what conclusions to draw from my reading. I have to reflect on the symbols and meanings... so yes, this is THAT sort of book: the one which keeps you wide awake at night after you finished it, because whatever you do, you can't help but to wonder what it was all about. And besides this amazing opportunity for me to wonder on feminism and on the 19th century, the writing was just so good. It was all very mysterious and gloomy, and I ended up having this strange fascination for the river as well! I felt great in both epochs and as there were no much characters, and that I felt so immersed (no pun intended) in the story, that I felt like I almost knew the two heroines, Evelyn and Kirsten. The author tackles various subjects in here, in the end. I'm not perfectly sure what to make of all of them, but they were great. However, I don't want to spoil anything so this is where I'm going to stop. But just remember, there are some great and deep thoughts on love on this novel (or novella?) and some quotes were pretty mind blowing. Oh and, if you're a man who feels offended quite easily and who's not going to think a bit before shouting that 'women think blabla feminists blabla', maybe don't read this one. I might be very annoyed to hear what you have to say.
samjaneparker's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0