Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

164 reviews

kangaroo1990's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Murder, and Confinement

Moderate: Bullying

emmmmmmma's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loveeee this book so much. I read half the forget about it for months then read the other half in 2 weeks because a fell in love with it. I will definitely read it again.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Murder, and Pedophilia

There was maybe one paragraph not extremely detailed of r*pe. I didn't find it triggering however some people might. Given that the main character is 15 and her husband is 27? I would count that as weird and it is briefly mentioned throughout but not explicit I don't think.

there is a murder in it which isnt described in detail but it is told and it is a bit horrific to think about. Also the 1561 chapters she is poisoned and then the last one there is a murder again which is a bit more described (a suffocation)

frankieclc's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death and Murder

jmitchell20's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Murder

hstcrow's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is such a solid historical fiction. Maggie O’Farrell is just so damn good at what she does. Lucrezia is a mystery and yet has an intimate closeness with the reader. Also stellar ending, I liked the reimagining.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Infertility, and Pregnancy

Minor: Animal cruelty

brynpemery's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Animal death

sienamon_roll's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gaslighting, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape

emmaahel's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Rape

heather_freshparchment's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Confinement, Gaslighting, Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Medical trauma, and Vomit

laurenzokro's review

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Maggie has done it again!!! O’Farrell’s attention to historical detail and narrative is so apparent throughout - it’s impossible not to appreciate the care and precision that goes into her writing. I especially enjoyed reading her author’s notes at the end, frankly, because you really get such clear insight into why and how she chooses to stray from historical accuracy, the intention behind it to build a more well-rounded story rather than just serving as a plot device. 

As seen in “Hamnet”, Lucrezia’s story showcases both the larger-than-life romanticism that often draws people into the era while balancing it with the harsh, unjust realities of the time. One moment the reader is encapsulated by the beautiful descriptions of Renaissance-era architecture, clothing, and general luxuries that Lucrezia is constantly surrounded and fascinated by, only to be abruptly interrupted by sexist and/or classist power plays. The manner in which both of those themes connect back to (and are often initiated by) Alonso serves as an effectual embodiment of the time period as a whole, and the figures who dominated and represent it.

Needless to say that this book was excellent - O’Farrell’s talent for crafting such a richly-layered yet accessible narrative is very unique, and makes her reads all the more enjoyable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Child abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Murder