Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So much subtext that it was difficult at times to actually parse what was going on or being discussed. I'm sure savvier readers than I could cut through the parlance and it was appropriate for the time period and circumstances, but was mildly frustrating for me. An interesting foray into early queer British lit.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Unequivocally, a stunning 5 star book. Like Robin Hobb, I think Mary Renault's prose and writing structure mirrored the languid pacing of the story. And besides that, what beautiful prose it was. What a delight it will upon rereading. Yes, I'm already deciding that.
I think this book was masterfully crafted. Many times, I so felt the intimacy of character interactions, with that tell tale twinge in my heart, I thought I should leave the scene because I was witness and privy to something I ought not to be. From Andrew and Laurie's scenes in "Limbo" to Ralph's soft voice, there were many times I really felt the nuance and humanity of love in all its reaching and longing glory. I'm going to continue dissecting the characters of our naïve and unworldly Andrew, our careful and protective Laurie and our mature and understanding Ralph. I loved how Mary Renault was able to build two very different relationships with these three- the idealized and platonic Andrew + Laurie, to the more physical and mature relationship between Laurie and Ralph. There's so much more I could write, but I'll keep thinking of this book in the meantime.
Really the best book I've read thus far this year.
I think this book was masterfully crafted. Many times, I so felt the intimacy of character interactions, with that tell tale twinge in my heart, I thought I should leave the scene because I was witness and privy to something I ought not to be. From Andrew and Laurie's scenes in "Limbo" to Ralph's soft voice, there were many times I really felt the nuance and humanity of love in all its reaching and longing glory. I'm going to continue dissecting the characters of our naïve and unworldly Andrew, our careful and protective Laurie and our mature and understanding Ralph. I loved how Mary Renault was able to build two very different relationships with these three- the idealized and platonic Andrew + Laurie, to the more physical and mature relationship between Laurie and Ralph. There's so much more I could write, but I'll keep thinking of this book in the meantime.
Really the best book I've read thus far this year.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Crying gently on my settee
Although the constant allusions to Paradise Lost and the plays of Plato add a literary lacquer to the story, once chipped away a deceptively bare-bones romance is revealed. Renault's languid pacing creates an eagerness to know more, yet these promises of meaningful plot points go sadly unfulfilled at times. The descriptive passages of characters' psychological struggles, though often poignant, are ultimately style over substance. The harsh truth being that when the theatrical makeup is washed off, what remains is a tired love-triangle story (even by 1953 standards) whose fatigue wears on through the final half.
On top of this, much of the dialogue features more than 2 characters in a conversation with no indicators as to who is talking, this made the narrative frustratingly difficult to follow at times. Overall, The Charioteer is a well meaning and heartfelt tale of romantic navigation which has it's fair share of scenic routes before veering awkwardly into an off-road thicket.
On top of this, much of the dialogue features more than 2 characters in a conversation with no indicators as to who is talking, this made the narrative frustratingly difficult to follow at times. Overall, The Charioteer is a well meaning and heartfelt tale of romantic navigation which has it's fair share of scenic routes before veering awkwardly into an off-road thicket.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i've given this book four stars but frankly i think i missed too much of what was going on to actually be able to rate it. i enjoyed reading it, but i didn't race through it or hinge my emotional state on it for days at a time the way i do for 5 star reads. also i dislike miscommunication and love triangles but i've decided to accept them in this book for the sake of it being old and also because cat sebastian told me to read it.
extremely confused but it's fine. who needs to understand what they are reading anyways?
extremely confused but it's fine. who needs to understand what they are reading anyways?
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book was a mixed bag for me. First, I both dislike and like the writing. On the one hand it's beautiful and made me very immersed in the book but on the other hand it's very convoluted and so subtle that I sometimes felt unsure of what was going on.
People seem to like the ending because it's somewhat happy, but I thought it was unresolved and for that reason very frustrating. I wanted more from the ending after spending 14+ hours on this audiobook.
The audiobook narrator was excellent though (Joe Jameson❤).
The author, Mary Renault, had some thoughts and views on queer culture and queerness that were and still are outside the norm, and they definitely shine through in this book, for better or for worse...
Despite some mixed feelings, it was an interesting experience reading a queer book from the 50's (THAT IS NOT OVERLY DARK OR SAD, OMG)
People seem to like the ending because it's somewhat happy, but I thought it was unresolved and for that reason very frustrating. I wanted more from the ending after spending 14+ hours on this audiobook.
The audiobook narrator was excellent though (Joe Jameson❤).
The author, Mary Renault, had some thoughts and views on queer culture and queerness that were and still are outside the norm, and they definitely shine through in this book, for better or for worse...
Despite some mixed feelings, it was an interesting experience reading a queer book from the 50's (THAT IS NOT OVERLY DARK OR SAD, OMG)
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced