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yulemrs's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the depth and complexity of the characters and how their stories intertwined .
I great read and while the ending was a neat package , I found that I was left wanting more , more questions answered and more exploration of the relationships that had developed between the characters , 4 stars still loved it and still would recommend
I great read and while the ending was a neat package , I found that I was left wanting more , more questions answered and more exploration of the relationships that had developed between the characters , 4 stars still loved it and still would recommend
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Clarke reads like a crime novel written by Anne Tyler or maybe by Mary Lawson. There is a crime and it will be solved but the book is more about the people on the periphery and the other, unrelated tragedies that have affected their lives. It has characters who you care about, it has moments of quiet humour and it has a gentle but compelling momentum.
The book opens six years after the disappearance of local woman Ginny Lawson in the small Australian town Clarke. Her husband has moved away and remarried but his former next door neighbour Leonie has never wavered in her conviction that he killed his wife. Finally after six years the police are reopening the investigation and plan to dig up the garden of the Lawson’s former home, which is now occupied by Barnaby. Barnaby is a very Tyler-esque character, struggling to fine his feet after the loss of his wife and estrangement with his son. Leonie is also touched by her own tragedy and gradually as she and Barnaby become friends, you sense that they may find a way to move forward in their lives.
The pace is a little slow – it doesn’t really warrant its 400 page length – but I still liked it very much. Leonie and Barnaby are such fabulous characters. If you like police procedurals this probably won’t be your thing but if you like books about damaged yet loveable characters finding ways to survive, I recommend it.
The book opens six years after the disappearance of local woman Ginny Lawson in the small Australian town Clarke. Her husband has moved away and remarried but his former next door neighbour Leonie has never wavered in her conviction that he killed his wife. Finally after six years the police are reopening the investigation and plan to dig up the garden of the Lawson’s former home, which is now occupied by Barnaby. Barnaby is a very Tyler-esque character, struggling to fine his feet after the loss of his wife and estrangement with his son. Leonie is also touched by her own tragedy and gradually as she and Barnaby become friends, you sense that they may find a way to move forward in their lives.
The pace is a little slow – it doesn’t really warrant its 400 page length – but I still liked it very much. Leonie and Barnaby are such fabulous characters. If you like police procedurals this probably won’t be your thing but if you like books about damaged yet loveable characters finding ways to survive, I recommend it.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
4.0
Throsby is s an Australian musician and author, and her latest book “Clarke” was a gifted book from Allen and Unwin, and a welcomed surprise to read. I initially thought this book moved very slowly, but I think it is at this pace for a reason. Time, in some moments of the book, does slow down and stop for many of the characters. They reflect, the reminisce, and they try to take one day at a time, as much as they can. Part mystery about an unsolved murder of Leonie’s and Dorrie’s neighbour, and part recollection on life. The connection between the main characters – Leonie, Barney, Dorrie, and four year old Joe – unfolds in time with the police crew digging up Barney’s yard, looking for clues about Ginny’s disappearance.
I loved the conversations with Joe, Leonie’s nephew. Hey were silly conversations, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. The way in which Leonie’s character was created and reflected back on him was touching. She desperately kept the memory of his mother alive which caused her so much paid, and the fact that he just loved Leonie as well was heartwarming. Dorrie, Leonie’s neighbour was cute, and a great foundation for Leonie; almost a kindred spirit touching base with her and keeping her focused on moving forward at all times. The way that Barney and Leonie’s friendship emerged was lovely too. It wasn’t forced or full of unnecessary romance. We experience their flaws, their guilt, losses and longing. It is clever and unusual, and a book you should immerse yourself in.
I loved the conversations with Joe, Leonie’s nephew. Hey were silly conversations, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. The way in which Leonie’s character was created and reflected back on him was touching. She desperately kept the memory of his mother alive which caused her so much paid, and the fact that he just loved Leonie as well was heartwarming. Dorrie, Leonie’s neighbour was cute, and a great foundation for Leonie; almost a kindred spirit touching base with her and keeping her focused on moving forward at all times. The way that Barney and Leonie’s friendship emerged was lovely too. It wasn’t forced or full of unnecessary romance. We experience their flaws, their guilt, losses and longing. It is clever and unusual, and a book you should immerse yourself in.
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
Clarke is Holly Throsby’s third book after Goodwood and Cedar Valley. I’ve now read and enjoyed them all for their quintessential Aussie tone and quiet approach. This one was definitely more of a slow burn. There were pleasant characters that you want to get to know. It is mystery adjacent rather than a traditional crime/mystery and in that respect Throsby's work I think is fairly unique.
I will say straight up that the similarities to the Lynette Dawson case (from the Teacher’s Pet podcast) didn't completely sit right for me. I know she was inspired by the case and that her last book Cedar Valley was also inspired by a real life case (the Somerton Man) but in Clarke this felt a bit too obvious. I mean the missing woman was named Ginny Lawson!
But I did enjoy the fact that the focus was very much on the surrounding neighbours and that both Barney and Leonie also had a mystery surrounding what had happened to their wife and sister respectively. As the neighbours quietly ponder Ginny's disappearance, their own grief and inability to move on is tested by pressure from friends. I liked getting to know them all especially little Joe and his love for his “Leelee”.
I was planning on rating Clarke ⭐️⭐️⭐️ as it was so very quiet and slow but I have to say that the ending suddenly brought everything together in such an unexpected way that it left me with a much lighter and happier feeling than I expected it would halfway through. Clarke is an example of lovely writing and charming character development and for the way it made me feel warm and fuzzy in the end its ended up at ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Thank you to @allenandunwin for my #gifted copy. Clarke is out now.
I will say straight up that the similarities to the Lynette Dawson case (from the Teacher’s Pet podcast) didn't completely sit right for me. I know she was inspired by the case and that her last book Cedar Valley was also inspired by a real life case (the Somerton Man) but in Clarke this felt a bit too obvious. I mean the missing woman was named Ginny Lawson!
But I did enjoy the fact that the focus was very much on the surrounding neighbours and that both Barney and Leonie also had a mystery surrounding what had happened to their wife and sister respectively. As the neighbours quietly ponder Ginny's disappearance, their own grief and inability to move on is tested by pressure from friends. I liked getting to know them all especially little Joe and his love for his “Leelee”.
I was planning on rating Clarke ⭐️⭐️⭐️ as it was so very quiet and slow but I have to say that the ending suddenly brought everything together in such an unexpected way that it left me with a much lighter and happier feeling than I expected it would halfway through. Clarke is an example of lovely writing and charming character development and for the way it made me feel warm and fuzzy in the end its ended up at ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Thank you to @allenandunwin for my #gifted copy. Clarke is out now.
madeleinekl's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Holly Throsby's nostalgic, melancholy, crime-ish stories. They are always so readable, and have a comfort that is way more interesting than anything marketed as 'cosy' crime.
micht15's review against another edition
4.0
In the regional town of Clarke in 1991 Barney Clarke’s backyard is searched for missing woman, Ginny Lawson. Next door lives Leonie Wallace with 4 year old Joe. Great characters and storyline - 4 stars ⭐️
fasmina's review against another edition
5.0
Oh boy. This book. Why. Why did I even read this?
Let’s start from there. I saw heaps of reviews and posts about this book in Instagram and thought to jump on to the bandwagon. Well I know what everyone is talking about. This book can break you.
While reading it on Kindle, I also got the audiobook to try simultaneously. And this made me fall in love with audiobooks!! But what I didn’t expect is that I’d be listening to the last chapter, and would wonder why the book ended abruptly. That’s when it hit me.
This is an author to watch out for.
A beautiful book about two different souls living next to each other. With so much baggage from their families, these two protagonists take the book on to so many stags of emotions. There is a mystery too but you might not see it because of all the emo5ions that run through it’s pages.
At times, I felt a bit distracted because the book focused on thoughts and musings of the individuals and it was too heavy and at times monotonous. But to me, it’s the best way to write this book. D
Unfortunately words fail me. I struggle to review it without spoilers. But this is a must read.
Let’s start from there. I saw heaps of reviews and posts about this book in Instagram and thought to jump on to the bandwagon. Well I know what everyone is talking about. This book can break you.
While reading it on Kindle, I also got the audiobook to try simultaneously. And this made me fall in love with audiobooks!! But what I didn’t expect is that I’d be listening to the last chapter, and would wonder why the book ended abruptly. That’s when it hit me.
This is an author to watch out for.
A beautiful book about two different souls living next to each other. With so much baggage from their families, these two protagonists take the book on to so many stags of emotions. There is a mystery too but you might not see it because of all the emo5ions that run through it’s pages.
At times, I felt a bit distracted because the book focused on thoughts and musings of the individuals and it was too heavy and at times monotonous. But to me, it’s the best way to write this book. D
Unfortunately words fail me. I struggle to review it without spoilers. But this is a must read.
kasshall's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars really.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing here, it’s just a mundane story and kind of predictable. The so called pay off other reviewers spoke of was absent for me. I finished it feeling indifferent at best.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing here, it’s just a mundane story and kind of predictable. The so called pay off other reviewers spoke of was absent for me. I finished it feeling indifferent at best.
alicematt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5