Reviews

Consider the Lilies by Iain Crichton Smith

saraheholtom's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

amborg's review

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

built_by_books's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

dagmarveronika's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely adore Crichton Smith's storytelling in this book and I loved viewing the world through Mrs Scott's eyes. She is a very interesting character with such a rich history and so when she judged a person or situation I could always sympathise with her even though we have very different values. The story describes a sad and cruel part of scottish history but does so in a very human an simplistic manner. The events depicted may seem random or arbitrary but it all makes sense once you realise where they fit into the bigger picture.

If you enjoy reading classics and don't mind "difficult" language this is a must read! English isn't my mothertongue but if it is yours, I don't think the language will be a problem at all. I only had to look up a few old-fashioned words. I loved reading this book and I'm so happy I picked it up on a visit to Scotland!

bookswithbethany's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

mairi96's review

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

badger_badger's review

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An absolutely astounding wee book, it will stay with me a long time. It reminded me of what good writing is that doesn’t shove “hey look at me I’m a good writer” vibes down your throat and made me want to pick up a pen again! 

Pacing is perfect both for reading enjoyment and as a purposeful tool for making the story felt. 

The characterisation is very humanising and I felt that while Chrichton Smith criticises the Calvinist worldview, he holds a great deal of grace for Mrs Scott and writes her consciousness just as I know so many old Scottish women to speak. I didn’t grow up in a Calvinist world over a century ago but these Scottish people are still familiar and real.  

e_jjay's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rosedosed's review against another edition

5.0

A really strong protagonist and some STUNNING prose, also I Am So Sad

lief_'s review

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: War and Suicide attempt