Reviews

A Very Long Engagement by Sébastien Japrisot, Linda Coverdale

jwmcoaching's review against another edition

4.0

Although a little too many twists and turns make the third act a little convoluted, this is still a highly well written, touching, exciting novel.

cmbohn's review against another edition

2.0

Themes: war, love, hope
Setting: WWI and post war France

Five soldiers were convicted of cowardice after shooting themselves in the hand. They are tied up and forced into enemy territory. Later the fiancee of one of the men receives a letter than convinces her to go looking for the truth behind their deaths and she will not stop until she finds out everything.

It is an intriguing idea, but I didn't really like the main character, Mathilde, and I never understood why she had this compulsion to keep asking questions. I didn't find her sympathetic or believable. I wound up skipping a lot of the story, but I made it through to the rather improbable end because I wanted to see what happened.

The stories of the war itself were well written and powerful. But overall, I really can't recommend the book. I kept putting it off, reaching for any other book besides this one. Finally I made myself finish it today, but if it felt like a chore, then it can hardly be worth reading, can it? 2 stars.

miriamjones's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: War

peacefixation's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it. Love the film, and now the book <3

barrettcmyk's review against another edition

2.0

a wonderful story, well-written characters, but i believe i did the book a disservice by reading it in the 20 minutes here and there that i had to devote to it. there are multiple characters, each with multiple nicknames, with various family members, all telling different parts or perceptions of a story. surely that's to underline the chaos left in the wake of the war, but it also made a good story hard to follow.

not entirely satisfied with the ending either; it felt appropriate, yet somehow ... abrupt?

pascalecharp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

mariannebl's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

lady_ness's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

luvbug7554's review against another edition

3.0

The writing style was hard to follow at times. I think it was originally written in French, and the translation seems choppy. Or, at least, that is my excuse for it.
The story line was 'alright', and WW I isn't something that is written about frequently.
The ending is abrupt, but apt.

emmapnst's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

2.5