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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Miellyttävä on sana, jolla tätä kirjaa voi kuvailla. Se kertoo leppoisasti englantilaisen yläluokan rapistumisesta ja kietoo kaiken kevyen dekkarijuonen mukaan. Pienempikin sivumäärä olisi kyllä riittänyt tekemään selväksi, että 1960-luvun lopussa elettiin viimeisiä loiston hetkiä ja sen jälkeen alkoi kauhea alamäki.
Tässä kirjassa ei varsinaisesti ollut mitään suuria puutteita, mutta kolme tähteä annan sen tasapaksuisuuden vuoksi. Odotin loppua kohti jotain suurta paljastusta, mutta sellaista ei tullut. Fellowes osaa kuvata tarkkanäköisesti luokkayhteiskuntaa, mutta hänen tarinoidensa loput ovat vaisuja. Kaikki langat vedetään nätisti yhteen eikä lukijalle jää mitään pohdittavaa kirjan jälkeen. Tämä on oiva lahjakirja sellaiselle sukulaiselle, joka tykkää lukea turvallisia kirjoja, joissa ei tapahdu mitään liian järkyttävää.
Tässä kirjassa ei varsinaisesti ollut mitään suuria puutteita, mutta kolme tähteä annan sen tasapaksuisuuden vuoksi. Odotin loppua kohti jotain suurta paljastusta, mutta sellaista ei tullut. Fellowes osaa kuvata tarkkanäköisesti luokkayhteiskuntaa, mutta hänen tarinoidensa loput ovat vaisuja. Kaikki langat vedetään nätisti yhteen eikä lukijalle jää mitään pohdittavaa kirjan jälkeen. Tämä on oiva lahjakirja sellaiselle sukulaiselle, joka tykkää lukea turvallisia kirjoja, joissa ei tapahdu mitään liian järkyttävää.
A fairly run-of-the-mill novel overall. I enjoyed it, but not enough to take it at more than a leisurely pace. The writing was definitely Fellowes -- a dry wit taking it upon himself to write a commentary on the British upper class of the last fifty years. I'm sure this was very cathartic for him to write in one of those, "How did we get here as a society?!" ways.
The story itself continually hinted at some divisive event that changed lives forever and, of course, the reader is left in the dark until the very last pages. To be honest, after the nonstop buildup, the reveal was quite a letdown. The "horrible night in Portugal" was not so very horrible -- at least, not to someone who would most definitely run in a different circle than the main characters.
All in all, pretty disappointing and mediocre story told in a sarcastic yet posh voice.
The story itself continually hinted at some divisive event that changed lives forever and, of course, the reader is left in the dark until the very last pages. To be honest, after the nonstop buildup, the reveal was quite a letdown. The "horrible night in Portugal" was not so very horrible -- at least, not to someone who would most definitely run in a different circle than the main characters.
All in all, pretty disappointing and mediocre story told in a sarcastic yet posh voice.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this book. An object lesson in making the most of your opportunities or end with a lifetime of regret.
This had been sitting at the top of my to read pile for some time (I'm trying to to think about how long), but for some reason I decided to start it the day I got a fresh batch of library books (contrary? Moi?!). I raced through it and couldn't wait to find out what had actually happened. It evokes wonderfully the Season of 1968 - and a society desperately clinging on to past traditions in a world that's changing fast, and in a way they can't understand. It's the story of Damien Baxter - an interloper - told by the man who introduced him to the world of parties, balls and dinners that made up the Season. I found it absolutely fascinating and was completely absorbed. It leaves the main plot nicely resolved, but you can't help but wonder what happens to the unnamed Narrator after he's sorted out Damien's little problem. I read Fellowe's first novel "Snobs" and remember enjoying it, but almost instantly forgetting what it was about. This I think will stick with me more, and I may even come back to it at some point!
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Imagine combining [a:Jane Austen|1265|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588941810p2/1265.jpg]'s social commentary on the British class system with [a:Markus Zusak|11466|Markus Zusak|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1537240528p2/11466.jpg]'s deep dive into the raw nature of humanity and how it affects our daily goings on, and then add the overall vibe of Voltaire's [b:Candide|19380|Candide|Voltaire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345060082l/19380._SY75_.jpg|2833018], and you get this book. It was a fascinating description of how Britain's society started moving away from aristocracy and titles in the late 20th century, and I could definitely see the similarities between it and Downton Abbey. Both were less the story of certain people, and more the story of British society as a whole. My favorite thing about it though, was that it felt more like a conversation than a book, even including little rabbit trails with side notes and back stories. Definitely a unique piece of literature!
An entertaining plot and a fascinating glimpse into societal changes among the English upper classes after the Second World War. Only 3 stars because I had a sense of the ending by the middle of the book and because a couple of parts towards the end seemed a little forced and unconvincing.
All in all, a great vacation read!
All in all, a great vacation read!
I'm reviewing this as part of my "Same Title- Different Book" project! This particular Past Imperfect deals with the recollections of a pair of 'frenemies' who were present at one of the last 'London Seasons' in high society England. It deals with the quick changes in the entire class system of London as the free spirit of the 60's took hold. It also explores a long-held secret by one of the main characters and the narrator's quest to unravel said mystery. It's definitely a book for those who enjoy reading about the rites and rituals of 'high class' English society.