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pagesintranslation's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Rape
dylangodfreyy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Loved this book but docked a star for the ending I would have preferred some clarity on whether Howard survived the train crash, however I recognise this as a choice to create a shocking and open-ended ending
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: War and Homophobia
princessemily's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Beautiful story that evokes powerful emotion from the start to end. The 1950s setting takes you immediately to that period without forcing a pair of rose tinted glasses on first. The characters are realistic and it’s easy to take to them as though they were old friends of mine.
I have already recommended this to several friends.
Contrary to everyone’s belief that the ending was unnecessary I thought it further demonstrated the importance of taking the time to enjoy the “small pleasures” of life when you can. I was thankful that there was some ambiguity and we were not forced to witness the reaction of Jean, Gretchen and Margaret when they receive the news. The ending absolutely devastated me and I certainly needed some recovery time to stop crying but given the entire book is rooted in the reality of mundane and empathic life I found the ending to be equally realistic and a better fit than a “happily ever after”.
I have already recommended this to several friends.
Content Warnings
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Homophobia, and Rape
shonagh_catherine's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This novel contained some of the most enchanting descriptions of domestic life - the descriptions cherished the 'simple pleasures' one may find in the most seemingly banal tasks and there is something about that which is simply enchanting.
The character studies and relationships are natural and drag the reader into the story with our emotions being strung along watching these relationships develop. The variety of mother-daughter relationships explored and ultimately juxtaposed are enlightening, reassuring, and somewhat familiar to read.
However, whilst I enjoyed large parts of this book I have some issues with how the plot developed: specificall I was uncomfortable with the use of and treatment of certain characters who represent some marginalised groups within society who eneded up used as plot devices and were treated somewhat distastefully.
As for the last chapter... well I think ultimately that chapter is open to what the reader brings to it - I would argue the reader is invited to write their own ending to the novel (whether it be optimistic or not.) That being said I appreciate the issues many readers have felt with the final chapter which nearly seems to swallow whole and distort the optimism of the previous chapter.
Overall the novel has some gorgeous prose, littered with delicate descriptions of domestic life and the importance of friendships especially for those who are isolated. However, the novel also has some harsh interjections of crule reality and it reminds the reader that there may be a more sinister side to life which I found jarring at times given the over all tone of the novel.
The character studies and relationships are natural and drag the reader into the story with our emotions being strung along watching these relationships develop. The variety of mother-daughter relationships explored and ultimately juxtaposed are enlightening, reassuring, and somewhat familiar to read.
However, whilst I enjoyed large parts of this book I have some issues with how the plot developed: specificall I was uncomfortable with the use of and treatment of certain characters who represent some marginalised groups within society who eneded up used as plot devices and were treated somewhat distastefully.
As for the last chapter... well I think ultimately that chapter is open to what the reader brings to it - I would argue the reader is invited to write their own ending to the novel (whether it be optimistic or not.) That being said I appreciate the issues many readers have felt with the final chapter which nearly seems to swallow whole and distort the optimism of the previous chapter.
Overall the novel has some gorgeous prose, littered with delicate descriptions of domestic life and the importance of friendships especially for those who are isolated. However, the novel also has some harsh interjections of crule reality and it reminds the reader that there may be a more sinister side to life which I found jarring at times given the over all tone of the novel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Ableism
fleursreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
never thought a book about an investigation would be so relaxing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Rape
spookyaz's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.25
I liked the writing and descriptions and all of the little details. I did not like the treatment of queer and neurodivergent people in this book- very underdeveloped and full of harmful stereotypes and such. That being said, I guess I didn't really expect anything more from most fiction books unless they're explicitly written by/for queer/neurodiverse folks. Sad but true. I also did not like how the romance took over the plot from the original mystery. The ending I found jarring and very much an "excuse me???" moment. Not to say that it was necessarily a completely bad ending. The plot twists were not things I saw coming, but that's a usual thing with me. I don't know if I'd recommend this book to people, to be honest- I might have to sit with my thoughts a bit more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Ableism, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Abortion, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
annajanen's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
kaymichelle's review
dark
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death
Moderate: Homophobia