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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Some books catch your eye again and again but it takes you a while to pick up. And when they are this rich, tender and lovely, you can only be grateful you did pick it up. This is a lengthy read and took me longer than most, but was oh so worth it.
Following a miscellany of characters as they weave through each other's lives, starting with late in the Second World War, through to the 1970s, with flashbacks to develop the characters' backstory, this was an ode to love, friendship, family, and living life in the moment. I wanted to live in the world Sarah Winman created, with this beautiful found family and the community they inhabit. The characters are so very alive and present, and the descriptions of Florence - its art, architecture, history, food - is warm, moving and delightfully funny.
The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because my attention waned during the early post-war chapter in England. But I'm so glad I stuck with it. It was a genuine joy to listen to this audiobook. I defy anyone to read this and not want to plan a trip to Tuscany!
Following a miscellany of characters as they weave through each other's lives, starting with late in the Second World War, through to the 1970s, with flashbacks to develop the characters' backstory, this was an ode to love, friendship, family, and living life in the moment. I wanted to live in the world Sarah Winman created, with this beautiful found family and the community they inhabit. The characters are so very alive and present, and the descriptions of Florence - its art, architecture, history, food - is warm, moving and delightfully funny.
The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because my attention waned during the early post-war chapter in England. But I'm so glad I stuck with it. It was a genuine joy to listen to this audiobook. I defy anyone to read this and not want to plan a trip to Tuscany!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book. I wanted to dive inside the pages and live there. The characters were so vibrant and alive, and the dialogue was very sharp, witty, and realistic. I don’t normally pick up WW2 novels but this one is mostly a post-war novel about found family and creating the lives we want for ourselves. The only thing I didn’t care for was the end section. It felt very disjointed from the rest of the book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I wasn’t sure when I started reading, but it got me hooked. The chance meeting of a group of people over decades - their ups & downs, and how their paths crossed by chance throughout their lives. Love, travel, art & Florence.
slow-paced