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dgodek's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because I've read all of Chevalier's books AND because of the allusion to Robert Blake's work. It was good, but not as good as some of her other novels.
desiree_boom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
juliaeditrix's review against another edition
2.0
Feels too similar to Girl with a Pearl Earring -- nothing new here. I was disappointed because it fels like a copycat. I loved GWPE so much but this one just didn't work for me at all. And I am a big fan of William Blake, as well. Too bad.
rachelleahdorn's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book very cheap, so my expectations were lowered. However this book was worth full price. I really enjoyed the main movement and telling of the story.
The book is set in the late 1700s London (and English countryside a bit). What I particularly liked was the main character's relationship. they are two young kids, it is unclear (to me) how old they are but I'd guess about 13 by the end of the story. They behave like real kids. one of the problems I sometimes have with stories set in this time period --or historical fiction in general-- is that everyone is highly sexed and all relationships are all about sex, violence, and/or power. The two kids, though not of the same sex, behave like young kids, innocent and becoming more aware of the world around them. Have to admit, the kids are not innocent, but they don't behave like. Broken people, nor do they behave like the miniature adults you sometimes read about.
I also enjoyed the story's descriptions of London and live at this time.
the only thing I didn't fully like (though I didn't hate it) was the very end. i was with the story up to about 5 pages from the end--maybe even 1 page from the end--but I felt a slight letdown inn the way the character's story and relationship was resolved.
overall, I'd recommend this for people who are interested in a story that examines human relationships (I'm not talking about just romantic or sexual relatinoships--there is little of the latter) and historical fiction.
The book is set in the late 1700s London (and English countryside a bit). What I particularly liked was the main character's relationship. they are two young kids, it is unclear (to me) how old they are but I'd guess about 13 by the end of the story. They behave like real kids. one of the problems I sometimes have with stories set in this time period --or historical fiction in general-- is that everyone is highly sexed and all relationships are all about sex, violence, and/or power. The two kids, though not of the same sex, behave like young kids, innocent and becoming more aware of the world around them. Have to admit, the kids are not innocent, but they don't behave like. Broken people, nor do they behave like the miniature adults you sometimes read about.
I also enjoyed the story's descriptions of London and live at this time.
the only thing I didn't fully like (though I didn't hate it) was the very end. i was with the story up to about 5 pages from the end--maybe even 1 page from the end--but I felt a slight letdown inn the way the character's story and relationship was resolved.
overall, I'd recommend this for people who are interested in a story that examines human relationships (I'm not talking about just romantic or sexual relatinoships--there is little of the latter) and historical fiction.
randab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
3.25
boureemusique's review against another edition
4.0
I see from some other reviews that readers found this treatment of Blake and the other characters to be simplistic, even childish. Having read and enjoyed Blake and the other English Romantic poets, I think Blake himself would have appreciated the treatment. This book has supplemented the themes that have run through the last five books I've read - dualism, the nature of reality, and story-telling. I recommend it to Blake and Keats lovers.
dlynn627's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed in this book- I LOVED The Virgin Blue SOOOO much and this one just could not even compare. I don't know what exactly went wrong...it just wasn't as interesting and not as well-constructed.
gennifer's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know why I keep going back to Tracy Chevalier's books. I keep thinking I like her as a writer but the last few books I've read of hers have been...huge disappointments. I loved her first book, but, lately, her stuff seems repetitive. It's as though she found something that worked once and has decided to re-use the mold over and over. It's no longer working. I don't know if she's picking poor subjects (I doubt this is the case), if she's working too fast, or if she's sloppily researching but I think I'm done picking up her stuff until she gives herself a (creative) break.
soiseau's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
paging_snidget's review against another edition
2.0
Unevenly paced with very little plot and underdeveloped characters. The ending leaves a lot unresolved. An underwhelming, ultimately forgettable novel.