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an6ra_'s review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
love the fact that characters in this book were complex. I couldn't hate them, but I also couldn't love them 🤔
through_my_eyes81's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most beautiful books I’ve read. Alice’s life is worth reading. Have courage, take heart.
kiarablanche's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
_e_reads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
nicnackerz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
pilarentrelibros's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Alice Hart es una niña de 9 años que lo ha perdido todo en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. Con un padre violento, Alice ha crecido midiendo mucho cada palabra y cada mirada. Ahora no encuentra su voz para hacer las preguntas pertinentes y se siente la persona más sola del planeta. Llegará para hacerse cargo de ella, su abuela June que dirige una plantación de flores y en la que Alice intentará encontrar un hogar, un refugio y quizá de nuevo su voz. Una historia que trata temas dificilísimos como el abuso doméstico, los traumas infantiles y el duelo, intercalados con descripciones bellísimas de paisaje australiano.
En la novela hay dos partes bastante marcadas: Alice de niña y Alice de adulta. Y a mi sinceramente, la protagonista adulta me ha perdido por completo 😅 este libro en lugar de tratar estos duros temas de forma paciente, profunda y como se merecen, se convierte en un melodrama al más puro estilo de peli de sobremesa. A la Alice niña si la he entendido, me ha despertado ternura y quería que estuviese a salvo, pero la falta de comunicación que usa la autora para crear drama en su vida adulta me ha hecho girar los ojos en más de una ocasión.
La cantidad de personajes secundarios que tiene este libro es alucinante y sobran más de la mitad. Se pasa el rato introduciendo gente nueva con sus propios traumas que ahí se quedan sin explotar, sin quedar bien atadas al final y sin aportar nada a la trama principal. No he conseguido empatizar con nadie (excepto con Sally que sale dos veces).
El lenguaje de las flores que utiliza no es el que se usaba en tiempos victorianos. Los antepasados de la protagonista crearon un diccionario con el significado de las flores que ellos mismos se inventaron, con lo que nadie más conoce ese lenguaje floral y eso ha hecho que para mi pierda la importancia que la autora le quiere dar.
Una historia que es entretenida, se lee rápido y tiene unas descripciones preciosas del paisaje y de las flores del lugar. Sin embargo, no ha conseguido arrollarme ni sentir.
⚠️ OJO: No te recomiendo leer la sinopsis del libro porque destripa demasiado para mi gusto.
pikkumarja's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Tässä on vähän sellainen keski-ikäistyneen naisen voimaballadin sävy, mutta toimii kyllä nuoremmillekin ja oikeastaan varmaan kaikille lukijoille. Aiheet ovat todella raskaita, mutta kieli on todella kaunista ja kerronta pitää otteessaan vahvasti. Kukkiin kiinnittää kirjan jälkeen enemmän huomiota ja jälkisanoissa + kiitoksissa on kerrottu kauniisti siitä, kenen maalla ja kenen tarinoista ammentaen kirja on kirjoitettu.
Alicen ja tarinan muiden naisten vuoksi toivoisin, että kirjassa ei olisi miehiä niin paljon. Miehet eivät oikein nappaa.
Alicen ja tarinan muiden naisten vuoksi toivoisin, että kirjassa ei olisi miehiä niin paljon. Miehet eivät oikein nappaa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Alcoholism, Violence, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
lizziesharpee_'s review against another edition
5.0
Well…that was one HELL of an emotional rollercoaster! As someone who watched the Amazon Prime Series (same name as book) before reading this book i knew what was going to happen. Well the series was a just the tip if the iceberg.
Firstly the way the author (Holly Ringland) links all her descriptions back to flowers is stunning. She describes characters, their emotions, their environment and their past in the most mesmerising ways possible. Her ways of writing trauma and abuse is some of the most realist ways you can describe it was so painful because of how beautifully she wrote it.
One thing that never changed from both adaptations is that June is an ABSOLUTE B**CH!! And reading about Oggi and Alice's relationship from Alice's POV…broke my heart again. Watching it on screen was hard enough, but reading it was just a huge punch in the gut. Never getting over them…NEVER!!!!
If you are here from watching the series, there is lots more information in this book about Junes past and how shes uses her trauma to raise Alice. June is such a complex character that i love, but at the same time will forever despise. Am i happy what happens to her at the end?...yup :)
The saddest part about this book and Alice's story for me is, is Alice enduring what she experienced as a child as an adult. So heartbreaking. I have never really cried over a book before in all honesty, but this book left me sobbing and crawled up in a blanket for a good few hours.
Thank you Holly Ringland for breaking my heart x
(i will be reading EVERYTHING that you publish in the future)
Firstly the way the author (Holly Ringland) links all her descriptions back to flowers is stunning. She describes characters, their emotions, their environment and their past in the most mesmerising ways possible. Her ways of writing trauma and abuse is some of the most realist ways you can describe it was so painful because of how beautifully she wrote it.
One thing that never changed from both adaptations is that June is an ABSOLUTE B**CH!! And reading about Oggi and Alice's relationship from Alice's POV…broke my heart again. Watching it on screen was hard enough, but reading it was just a huge punch in the gut. Never getting over them…NEVER!!!!
If you are here from watching the series, there is lots more information in this book about Junes past and how shes uses her trauma to raise Alice. June is such a complex character that i love, but at the same time will forever despise. Am i happy what happens to her at the end?...yup :)
The saddest part about this book and Alice's story for me is, is Alice enduring what she experienced as a child as an adult. So heartbreaking. I have never really cried over a book before in all honesty, but this book left me sobbing and crawled up in a blanket for a good few hours.
Thank you Holly Ringland for breaking my heart x
(i will be reading EVERYTHING that you publish in the future)