Reviews

Glimmerglass by Marly Youmans

blossomgarden's review against another edition

3.0

The writing was well done but the topic was so strange. I feel like I've lost imagination or something because I was quite confused with the imagery created in this book; at least at the start. I think it's a book about hope but the undertones are murder and distrust. The end was much what I expected and it is light. It wasn't too bad, just strange.

tabbrower's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring mysterious

4.0

Startlingly weird, quite good, unforgettable. Found Glimmerglass/Marly Youmans through Clive Hicks-Jenkins and now that I've been, it reminds me of nothing so much as the Forest in the Hallway. All time spent in Cynthia's head felt very, very familiar, dreamy like I get on my own, like today, reading this strange story in someone else's high-ceilinged home, with empty floors stretching below and above me. Especially on the heels of the Likeness, which was uneasy in a different way, Glimmerglass reminds me that I am not as wild as I think--it's hard to spend time in a story where even safety is hardly safe and beauty comes at extravagant cost. But what beauty.

thewordwitch's review against another edition

4.0

My only criticism of this book is that it was just a wee bit too short. I feel as if there were a few things that could have been fleshed out more, particularly the characters. I felt as if I got a scraping of the surface, a brief snapshot of them that didn't delve deep enough. I wanted to connect more to Cynthia, and it was really quite a shame that I wasn't given the opportunity to.

Spoiler

I also felt that we didn't get enough of an opportunity to see Teddy being sinister. We were just given heavy handed hints such as  when Lydia came over and made the comment about the painting or that Teddy was jealous of anyone who got Andrew's attention over him. And then, the next thing you know, Cynthia is locked in a chamber to die, and who did it - obviously Teddy. There was no question in my mind, and I think I would have liked there to have been.

What I did see of the characters was absolutely lovely. I enjoyed the pleasant quirkiness that each one brought to the story. I liked the details in Teddy's vests, and Lydia with her ridiculous hat. Also, cheers to having an older female protagonist with a backbone. I often don't read about grandmothers having adventures, so that was a pleasant surprise. It gives me hope for my future when I'm older and still ready to explore and have a bit of a lark.

Spoiler

Granted, I don't want someone trying to kill me to be part of that adventure. Or feeling dreadfully sick during it either come to think of it.

 

I love the idea of Sea House being a bit of a hobbit hole in a hill. It was charming, as was the entirety of the village life. I am surprised by the lack of reviews and readers actually, since this book is so pleasant and such a quick little read. I came across it in my local bookshop, and I was intrigued by the cover and the description. I think it's a solid little story worth reading, and a criticism of wanting more is not a particularly bad thing. 

stacialithub's review against another edition

4.0

This is a grown-up's version of a fairytale interlaced with magical realism & mystery. So, there's a mix of the fantastical, the dreamy, a muse, lost (& found) dreams, the prince, the evil character, a mystery (a murder?), secrets hidden & shared, learning, growth, & redemption. It's a pretty quick read & one that is best read in one sitting to maintain the flow & magic. Like good fairytales, the path may be gnarled, but the telling is simple & straightforward, pulling you in deeper & deeper for a decently delightful diversion on a summer's day.

I'd probably give it 3.5 stars overall, but will bump it up to 4 stars for its lovely style.

wmhenrymorris's review against another edition

Youmans somehow manages to balance all the things (fairy tales, children's fantasy, New England, psychological thrillers, etc.) that she's drawing on while at the same time telling the story of a woman's (re?)awakening to her artistic self.

meghan_is_reading's review against another edition

an adult fairytale of sorts. only I wished the dreamworld had been longer and more involved. you could have fit a whole other book in that alice in wonderland and made the crossing over results have more weight. perhaps. feels like a missed opportunity anyway.

maylingkuo's review against another edition

3.0

i felt a little lost in alice in wonderland in this book - except that it takes place in the real world. i enjoyed many facets of glimmerglass, yet i must admit that many pages left me confused about what was happening. too much imagination perhaps? also, i couldn't tell if these characters possessed riches beyond normal or if the magical setting just made it feel that way.

veeinny's review

4.0

Reviews were intriguing, but this is not my preferred genre ~ nonetheless, I was quickly drawn in ... and finished nthe book in one sitting ~ now to reflect on poetic language and mesmerizing images.