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dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just reviewed the enchanting The Stargazers by Harriet Evans. With hints of a gothic atmosphere and authentic dialogue between characters The Stargazers is a must read.
#TheStargazers #NetGalley
First of all, The Stargazers has a beautiful cover which enticed me to read the book blurb and then ... well, I was immediately hooked by the enchanting storyline.
A multilayered family tale, we initially meet young Iris in a post-war England. Iris is a young child, living with her mother in the family home - Fane Hall, a mansion in the countryside of Sussex. Although unsure of what is happening with her family, Iris does realise that changes are about to occur with the reappearance of her long-lost uncle Clive. These events will have life-long repercussions for the family, and play a significant role for our protoganist Sarah.
Having met Iris, we then move to the present day and the life of Sarah Foster. Sarah has just received a letter from her sister Victoria (Vic), and is enduring a multitude of emotions on receiving this communication. As Sarah reflects on their relationship, the storyline moves back in time to the 1970s to show us Sarah's arrival in London.
With multiple timelines, it could be easy to become lost in this epic tale but Evans has cleverly built up each layer in the storyline and as the reader progresses, new secrets are revealed that explain exactly how Sarah and family have come to the current stage in life.
With hints of a gothic atmosphere, The Stargazers tells the tale about a family where dreams must be chased and rivalries will tear them apart. This is a beautiful and absorbing tale - one that I couldn't put down until the last page.
#TheStargazers #NetGalley
First of all, The Stargazers has a beautiful cover which enticed me to read the book blurb and then ... well, I was immediately hooked by the enchanting storyline.
A multilayered family tale, we initially meet young Iris in a post-war England. Iris is a young child, living with her mother in the family home - Fane Hall, a mansion in the countryside of Sussex. Although unsure of what is happening with her family, Iris does realise that changes are about to occur with the reappearance of her long-lost uncle Clive. These events will have life-long repercussions for the family, and play a significant role for our protoganist Sarah.
Having met Iris, we then move to the present day and the life of Sarah Foster. Sarah has just received a letter from her sister Victoria (Vic), and is enduring a multitude of emotions on receiving this communication. As Sarah reflects on their relationship, the storyline moves back in time to the 1970s to show us Sarah's arrival in London.
With multiple timelines, it could be easy to become lost in this epic tale but Evans has cleverly built up each layer in the storyline and as the reader progresses, new secrets are revealed that explain exactly how Sarah and family have come to the current stage in life.
With hints of a gothic atmosphere, The Stargazers tells the tale about a family where dreams must be chased and rivalries will tear them apart. This is a beautiful and absorbing tale - one that I couldn't put down until the last page.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Wow, I was already a huge fan of Harriet Evans but I think this may be her best yet.
The book flits between time periods in the main character, Sarah’s life. We see her tragic childhood, her marriage in the 70’s and also her present life as a grandmother.
I think Harriet Evans really is the Queen of making a house integral to the story. Sarah grew up at Fane Hall, one of the finest stately homes in the country in its heyday. The house is pivotal to the plot, it is what drives Sarah’s mothers to be so terrible and destructive. Her treatment of Sarah and her sister Vic is horrific and it is fuelled by her obsession with Fane.
Fane is mirrored with Sarah’s marital home in Hampstead. It is not without its problems but the London home becomes a place of love and safety for her which she so desperately needed.
Sarah finds solace in playing the cello and I loved the way her instrument helped bring out her brave side. The only time she stands up to her mother is over her cello.
Sarah’s relationship with her husband, Daniel is a very interesting aspect of the book. In some ways he is the hero of the story but I loved how Evans’ still showed his flaws and his sometimes selfish behavior. So many things in this book are simply not black or white.
The Stargazers is definitely Harriet Evans’ darkest book. Sarah’s mother, Violet is terrifying a times. Her behavior is incredibly dark and sinister, I can’t stop thinking about how awful she is. The book reminded me a little of Jane Eyre in places, it is incredibly sad and frightening at times but there is a small glimmer of hope running throughout.
What a fantastic book, I would highly recommend.