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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"What was it, exactly, that he liked so much? Was it because it had an aura of home, or because it felt completely strange and new?"~from The Mission House by Carys Davies
I enjoyed Carys Davies last novel West so immediately requested his new novel The Mission House.
Hillary Byrd was no longer comfortable in a changed England and sought escape by traveling to India. He was still miserable until he learned about the beautiful climate of the hills. He rents the house of a missionary on leave and discovers the village has all the comforts he requires, the legacy of the British army. For the first time in years he was content.
His host, a padre, has taken in a young woman, Priscilla, and asks Byrd to help polish her education to fit her for marriage. While teaching her English and sewing and baking, Byrd is drawn to her. The padre despairs for her future after he is gone and seeks a husband. Byrd is jealous.
Priscilla may be deformed and dependent, but she has dreams and is determined to make her own future.
Byrd can't escape the tribalism running rampant in the world, people "wanting to be surrounded only by people who were the same as they were," seeking an imaginary ideal past. He left it behind in England only to fatally discover it alive in India.
Byrd is condescending toward the natives; even his love for Priscilla is a parable of colonialism. Byrd uses his dedicated native driver thoughtlessly, spilling out his thoughts and grievances on their daily jaunts, but he never sees the man as a person. The ending is both ironic and tragic, Byrd's last action misguided but noble.
The novel wields a big impact in 272 pages. The writing is quiet and introspective, but there is a powerful story here.
I received a free galley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
I enjoyed Carys Davies last novel West so immediately requested his new novel The Mission House.
Hillary Byrd was no longer comfortable in a changed England and sought escape by traveling to India. He was still miserable until he learned about the beautiful climate of the hills. He rents the house of a missionary on leave and discovers the village has all the comforts he requires, the legacy of the British army. For the first time in years he was content.
His host, a padre, has taken in a young woman, Priscilla, and asks Byrd to help polish her education to fit her for marriage. While teaching her English and sewing and baking, Byrd is drawn to her. The padre despairs for her future after he is gone and seeks a husband. Byrd is jealous.
Priscilla may be deformed and dependent, but she has dreams and is determined to make her own future.
Byrd can't escape the tribalism running rampant in the world, people "wanting to be surrounded only by people who were the same as they were," seeking an imaginary ideal past. He left it behind in England only to fatally discover it alive in India.
Byrd is condescending toward the natives; even his love for Priscilla is a parable of colonialism. Byrd uses his dedicated native driver thoughtlessly, spilling out his thoughts and grievances on their daily jaunts, but he never sees the man as a person. The ending is both ironic and tragic, Byrd's last action misguided but noble.
The novel wields a big impact in 272 pages. The writing is quiet and introspective, but there is a powerful story here.
I received a free galley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Mijn beste zinnen, las hij, zijn de zinnen waaraan ik begin zonder te weten hoe ze eindigen".
Is het een citaat van Flaubert? Van Stendhal? Feit is dat Hilary Byrd het opduikelt in één van de boeken die hij half India door met zich meezeult. Een e-reader is niet aan hem besteed. Aan mij ook niet. India trouwens evenmin.
En toch slaagt Carys Davies er, net als in haar prachtige debuut 'West', wéér in om mij mee te slepen naar een bevreemdende plek die ik fysiek voor geen geld zou willen bezoeken. Daar dienen boeken dus voor: ze openen een wereld die anders voor altijd gesloten zou blijven.
Waar Davies ook in slaagt: van weinig veel maken. Personages zachtjes inkleuren. Subtiele spanning opbouwen. Je verrassen met een weldoordachte, onvoorspelbare wending. Alweer: net als in 'West'.
De beste boeken, vind ik, zijn de boeken waaraan ik begin zonder te weten hoe ze eindigen.
Maar toch vooral: je laten genieten van de weg ernaartoe.
I enjoyed the writing style but I felt that there were a few plot lines were created that weren’t fully followed through on. Overall this book was okay and I would recommend if you’re looking for a unique, creative writing style
Thank you for the gifted copy through goodreads giveaways!
Thank you for the gifted copy through goodreads giveaways!
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated