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lindaleest's review against another edition
2.0
Een wat saai verhaal en lastig om de personages van elkaar te onderscheiden.
De film ga ik nog bekijken.
De film ga ik nog bekijken.
bourriquet's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mes91's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Though I saw the film first I still feel like there are enough differences in the book for them both to stand on their own. Both brilliant in their own ways.
I was hooked on this and could barely put it down, like the film it had a cosy yet exotic feel. I thought the switching perspectives from the protagonist to the antagonist was a great narrative format. Highly recommend this even if you've seen the film its definitely worth it.
I was hooked on this and could barely put it down, like the film it had a cosy yet exotic feel. I thought the switching perspectives from the protagonist to the antagonist was a great narrative format. Highly recommend this even if you've seen the film its definitely worth it.
hexentart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
rianna_3419's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
roberthekm's review against another edition
3.0
One of my mum's favourite books... sorry mum.
Joanne Harris is capable of writing good prose and the set up of this book is interesting; indulgence vs piety. Unfortunately it doesn't develop in a particularly interesting or unexpected way and ends up feeling a bit hollow and redundant. Enjoy your life, appears to be the ultimate message, nothing I particularly disagree with but it is a bit trite.
Similarly, the characters feel rather one dimensional, playing out their roles in fairly expected ways. Armande, an old woman who has diabetes and wants to die by eating chocolate, is the most interesting and entertaining character. The questions she raises about what it means to lead a good life and what obligations, if any, you have to the people around you almost push me into liking this book. I appreciated especially the description of the final party the protagonist holds for her, not just in terms of the sensory details of the event but also the toll it takes on the protagonist to prepare this. It really aligns with the feminist ideas of the book, since often books overlook the 'women's' work it takes to put on an event of such a magnitude. Even as it shows how rewarding it can be to be of service to others, its never easy.
Speaking of our witchy protagonist, the magical elements of this book felt a bit unnecessary. People call this magical realism, but it behaves more like traditional fantasy; magical elements invading a mundane world rather than simply being a part of it. It feels awkward to combine these elements with an otherwise ordinary world and often just felt like the author injecting a greater sense importance to the story than was necessary. Ultimately I wasn't very attached to Vianne, but I did enjoy how she was an indirect influence on the people around her and often wasn't very present during the climatic moments of the book.
Joanne Harris is capable of writing good prose and the set up of this book is interesting; indulgence vs piety. Unfortunately it doesn't develop in a particularly interesting or unexpected way and ends up feeling a bit hollow and redundant. Enjoy your life, appears to be the ultimate message, nothing I particularly disagree with but it is a bit trite.
Similarly, the characters feel rather one dimensional, playing out their roles in fairly expected ways. Armande, an old woman who has diabetes and wants to die by eating chocolate, is the most interesting and entertaining character. The questions she raises about what it means to lead a good life and what obligations, if any, you have to the people around you almost push me into liking this book. I appreciated especially the description of the final party the protagonist holds for her, not just in terms of the sensory details of the event but also the toll it takes on the protagonist to prepare this. It really aligns with the feminist ideas of the book, since often books overlook the 'women's' work it takes to put on an event of such a magnitude. Even as it shows how rewarding it can be to be of service to others, its never easy.
Speaking of our witchy protagonist, the magical elements of this book felt a bit unnecessary. People call this magical realism, but it behaves more like traditional fantasy; magical elements invading a mundane world rather than simply being a part of it. It feels awkward to combine these elements with an otherwise ordinary world and often just felt like the author injecting a greater sense importance to the story than was necessary. Ultimately I wasn't very attached to Vianne, but I did enjoy how she was an indirect influence on the people around her and often wasn't very present during the climatic moments of the book.
becden's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? Yes
5.0
It just gets better and better with every read.
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
4.0
The perfect antidote to the depressing heavy literature I've been reading lately. This book is brimming with magical realism and manages to infuse even death with wisps of joy. Lovely.
molly_vi0let's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rea's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0