Reviews

Their Finest by Lissa Evans

maureenlikethetango's review against another edition

4.0

In a time when Dunkirk is very much in the news it was a sheer joy to read a story that dealt with its events from a multitude of perspectives. Evans writes with humor and poignancy--a delight from start to finish

polina_green's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

drannieg's review against another edition

5.0

It is, perhaps, not as outstandingly amazing as the others? But still genius and will stay with me well beyond the end of the book. Was especially swooning at the way in which the book shows how the impact of the first world war still reverberated so strongly in the lives of people in the 1940s, something so often lacking from WW2 home front books.

twelfthfox's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

hbk4eva99's review against another edition

informative lighthearted 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

1.75

jwebster's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative sad 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

4.25

milliethehufflepuff's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.75

kjh61's review against another edition

2.0

I loved Crooked Heart, and I'm eagerly awaiting Old Baggage, but I had a hard time finishing this one. It took too long to set up all the moving parts, and some characters never really made sense, at least not to me. And (spoiler alert), the ending was unsatisfying, almost distasteful, with the selfish rewarded and the sympathetic bereaved.

juani's review against another edition

reflective slow-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? Yes

3.0

bookishbird's review against another edition

3.0

Overall, I liked this book. I loved the premise and thought it had a lot of promise. The creation of propaganda films in London during WWII in the midst of the blitz is a captivating topic. I thought the character's were endearing...all except Ambrose, who is a pompous, delusional man throughout the majority of the book, but does grow on you *a bit* by the end. Evans's ability to create a character who makes you roll your eyes and gag is masterful.

While it was not particularly difficult to follow the POV switches, it was jarring at times because the previous character didn't always feel quite "finished" in that moment and then the story moved on. I felt this way too with the time jumps, although I quite understand that the book could not (and should not) have been any longer. I think what I am trying to say is that some sections could have been more effective. There was so much Ambrose (at least that's what it felt like) and not enough Catrin. By the time she really came into her own, she hardly had story left. I will say that Evans does a great job of weaving all of the storylines together. That was very well done.

While I do not want to give anything away, I will be honest and say that if a certain event hadn't occurred towards the end (when you read it you will know), I probably would have rated this book higher. That, of, course, is a completely personal feeling.

I liked this book. I can't rave about it, but I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction and multiple POV stories.