alexchig's review against another edition
3.75
After giving it some time to sink in, I was actually a bit torn on how to appropriately rate this novel. The themes of religion, wealth, and the fleetingness of youth featured quite frequently, but it was ultimately unclear what 'the point' of it all was. In short, we follow the lives of some dysfunctional British upper class people in the middle of two wars, trying to navigate a rapidly changing society. For me personally, most of the characters were difficult to sympathise with, particularly as they lacked any awareness of the privileges that they have been dealt in their society, and so their issues seemed rather insignificant in the larger cultural context. They are, in a way, trapped in a cage of their own making, and their dysfunctionality is a product of the cultural conventions that they themselves uphold. The only character that was truly unlike the rest was Sebastian, as he struggled to live up to the expectations of those around him and turned to alcoholism as a result. I was hoping for a deeper look at his character, but then he disappeared for half of the novel! I was also displeased with how heavy-handed the religious theme was. While Charles described himself as agnostic throughout the novel, at the very end he suddenly declared that another character's death was 'God's will'. How did he come to this conclusion? Where did we see him developing this faith?
That said, if you are interested in the subtle drama of the English aristocracy of the 1920s-40s, you will really enjoy this. I had some slight qualms with it, but in the end the writing was lovely and beautifully descriptive, and I enjoyed the experience of the novel as a whole.
P.S. do not come to this expecting gay rep, it is barely there!
Spoiler
AND MET A TERRIBLE, UNTIMELY DEATH.That said, if you are interested in the subtle drama of the English aristocracy of the 1920s-40s, you will really enjoy this. I had some slight qualms with it, but in the end the writing was lovely and beautifully descriptive, and I enjoyed the experience of the novel as a whole.
P.S. do not come to this expecting gay rep, it is barely there!
fiona_may333's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sophw1's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
lmuthler's review against another edition
reflective
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
3.0
jade_baker's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
siriussbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i wanna jump off the bridge.
meganhowes's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.5
leahfigiel's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
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? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
alyssamgarcia007's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
megh4's review against another edition
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
2.0