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kenchingfox's review
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jp_riemersma's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.75
emmajansch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
violetviva's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
roseparis's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ritjor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? N/A
4.0
kmg365's review
3.0
Interesting book. It isn't near the top of my favorite Jackson works, but it's not difficult to spot themes and character types that reappeared in her later books. I was more than halfway through before the unsettling elements had aggregated enough for me to really feel like I was reading one of Shirley's novels.
Some fleeting impressions:
For a novel published in the 40s, and set in the 30s, it feels quite timeless.
When Mean Girl Helen moved away, Virginia Donald stepped neatly and happily into her shoes.
Frederica and Beverley reminded me of Merricat and Constance in We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Although we are never told who was responsible for the terrible thing that happens near the end of the book, the ambiguity made sense. There were at least a half-dozen characters (aside from the too-obvious scapegoat) who come to mind who would be capable of doing such a thing. Not only capable of the action, but of going home and sighing some version of “Why won't anyone think about how that other's family's tragedy is affecting ME?”
I found Lillian Tyler (sickly sister of Mrs. Ransom-Jones) to be one of the creepiest characters in the book. I haven't been able to find any online commentary on the book that mentions her, but I'm having a hard time scraping her out of my head.
Other than Tod (and in one scene, Artie Donald) the male characters in this book remain opaque. The husbands are mostly silent and/or sullen. The story of the neighborhood is largely the story of the women and children.
Cream cheese and sherry sandwiches? Uh... thank you so much, but no.
doty91's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
astroneatly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5