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jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I’ll be very honest— I would never have bothered picking this novel up if it weren’t for the fact that it was selected for a book club I somewhat recently joined. Reading the synopsis, there wasn’t anything that particularly stood out to me, so I had low expectations. This ended up being the right call, as I didn’t feel disappointed or felt that my time was wasted. I didn’t find Small Pleasures especially remarkable in either narrative or characters, but this is definitely more a matter of personal interest than anything. I think some readers may find the mystery and eventual romance compelling, and I will say that it is refreshing to have a struggling protagonist who is somewhat older (forty, if I’m remembering correctly). And, to Chambers’ credit, I did like her prose enough. She took a rather quiet and restrained approach that was slightly reminiscent of Kazuo Ishiguro, and I thought she did a good job maintaining that tone while still being able to capture the intense emotions that Jean (the protagonist) felt.
Before reading, I decided to check the reviews out, and I was surprised to see a relatively large number of reviewers who criticized the ending. This somewhat colored my reading experience, especially because I was keen to find out why so many people disliked it. All I can say is that if an afterword is required to explain the ending, then something needs to be reworked (and I will say the ending was unsatisfying). That being said—and to kind of defend the author—I can kind of see why she made this decision, especially considering that she did some foreshadowing at the very start of the novel. Another critique I have that I didn’t see as many people address was how the author decided to handle a lesbian relationship. I didn’t like that it was used as a plot twist, along with the fact that it was somewhat villainized (to me, at least).
I would say take this review with a grain of salt, considering the circumstances that led to me reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Abortion
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, Rape, and Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and War
littlecatinabox's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Chronic illness
Minor: War
asreadbynicole's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel but the ending was completely absurd and unnecessary. It felt disconnected from this gentle and beautiful novel leaving me feeling betrayed. I adored the concept of this novel and the progression throughout despite it moving rather slowly. It makes it even more fascinating since it is based on a true story. The characters were developed excellently and the novel felt true to its time period. The book and all of its elements truly came alive when reading it.
This was my first experience reading Claire Chambers and I look forward to reading more of her novels. Her storytelling is so natural and effortless making it extremely easy to connect with.
This was my first experience reading Claire Chambers and I look forward to reading more of her novels. Her storytelling is so natural and effortless making it extremely easy to connect with.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
sophiabenton's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
such a nice chilled read! i’ve seen this book everywhere online since it came out, with a really memorable cover so i picked it up in the library without even knowing what it was about. i didn’t actually read the blurb until i was 30 pages in, wondering where the story was actually going to go 😂
it’s not my usual genre, with the characters being middle aged and it being general/historical fiction but it was a really relaxing laid back book. a nice break from stressful fantasy i usually read! really well written and nice historical touches in terms of descriptions and vocabulary.
it’s not my usual genre, with the characters being middle aged and it being general/historical fiction but it was a really relaxing laid back book. a nice break from stressful fantasy i usually read! really well written and nice historical touches in terms of descriptions and vocabulary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Abortion and Rape
laura_alsop's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
jmalcolm's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I became fond of Jean as a protagonist but felt that the characte development didn't go far enough in fully liberating her from the domestic routines that govern her life throughout most of the book. She dwells on the restrictions her staid life often (not being able to attend pub outings with colleagues/ having to wrangle a visit from Mrs Melsom to facilitate an afternoon of freedom)and yet she seems to exchange one life of domestic servitude for another (running errands for Gretchen/ looking after Margaret). There are nods to her escaping the mundantiy that she has come to accept (the purchase of the bold blue rug/ her refusal to save the new dress for 'best') however I wanted to see more of her true character coming through which weren't explicitly tied to her relationship with Howard. Despite her lack of independance in the book, she feels like a very independent woman and I felt that the opportunity was missed to use the relationship with the Tilbury's as a foil for her own personal growth.
The ending also reinforced this as we were left feeling Howard's anticipation of the reunion where I think it would have been more appropriate for the final scenes to be from Jean's perspective (either as she waited for her lover or as she finally asserted her right to independence away from her Mother).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Minor: Rape
han_amey's review
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
swaino's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book gave me mixed emotions. The writing style was flawless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these perfectly curated sentences and chapters.
It’s the plot that has given me the mixed feelings. I regret to say that I believed it to be quite predictable, with the origins of the virgin birth being what I had expected from the very beginning. The ending was also quite unnecessary and, if I dare say, almost ruined the book for me (whether that was out of heartbreak for the main character or a somewhat lazy plot, I am not so sure).
Before the end, I wanted to give this book 4/5 stars, but the ending took me back. Perhaps after a few days of ruminating over this book I may change my mind.
It’s the plot that has given me the mixed feelings. I regret to say that I believed it to be quite predictable, with the origins of the virgin birth being what I had expected from the very beginning. The ending was also quite unnecessary and, if I dare say, almost ruined the book for me (whether that was out of heartbreak for the main character or a somewhat lazy plot, I am not so sure).
Before the end, I wanted to give this book 4/5 stars, but the ending took me back. Perhaps after a few days of ruminating over this book I may change my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Grief, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexism
weezewest's review
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
irislovescats's review
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Such a great book, a mystery without it being the main focus of the book - which I found so gripping combined with the reflective tones of the character’s internal monologue. A few plot twists, which are well set up and timed. Overall, a beautiful book that I would love to be able to read again for the first time 🧡
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Rape and Abortion