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jocelynw's review against another edition
3.0
Only George Eliot's incredible gift with interiority could get me to wade through this much political intrigue. I avoid looking for plot summaries, because it tends to ruin my pleasure in reading, but I probably would have been better served by doing so here, with all the maneuvering taking place. If the book were comprised of just the Romola/Tito/Baldassare/Tessa chapters, that would have gotten five stars from me. I love Eliot's habit (see also Arthur Donnithorne, because I read Adam Bede most recently) of having a character do one slightly questionable, easily recoverable thing that they have the opportunity to amend but don't that makes you think, "Oh dear - well" and then she sloooooowly spins that out into their downfall.
msrichardsreads89's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book is a masterpiece. Eliot's skill with plot and setting are superb. She made Renaissance Florence come alive with detailed imagery and dynamic characters. Her writing is elegant with dry wit. The atmosphere of political intrigue and church politics was fascinating. I loved Romola's story even more. It was heartbreaking and emotional but beautifully written. Savonarola is an interesting historical figure, and I enjoyed seeing him come alive in this book.
This is a novel that is best consumed slowly. This was a labor of love. It is dense and complex, but so rewarding. It is a book that I want to reread multiple times and will gain more insight each time I read it.
This is a novel that is best consumed slowly. This was a labor of love. It is dense and complex, but so rewarding. It is a book that I want to reread multiple times and will gain more insight each time I read it.
petrauusimaa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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
austenheroineinprogress's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
mellanclear's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
vpetra416's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
borealis85's review against another edition
4.0
A nice, well researched historical renaissance novel with Victorian touch. Everything that you expect from good historical fiction: A couple of historical characters to google, great personal adventures and tragedies in a very real setting.
Romola as such is ofcourse perhaps a bit too well off with access to education and privileges, but Eliot hardly tries to hide the links to 1850's struggles between religion, traditional values and earthly lusts and pleasures.
Romola as such is ofcourse perhaps a bit too well off with access to education and privileges, but Eliot hardly tries to hide the links to 1850's struggles between religion, traditional values and earthly lusts and pleasures.
caterpillarnotebooks's review against another edition
3.0
in the words of the inimitable yana zlochistaya, it's giving ap history creative assignment