Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the first half a lot. It was well written with interesting characters and I like books set in Australia. But by the end I had stopped liking Alice and found the resolutions simplistic and unearned. I do plan to make Anzac biscuits though.
Wow, just wow. The story has such depth, such intrigue, and feels very real.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart has taken the Australian literary scene by storm, and I can understand why. It is an incredibly thorough, thought provoking and often times tense novel, spanning about a decade in the life of the young Alice. The story, while dramatic and sometimes very frustrating, is an important one to be told. It brings together issues of domestic violence, abuse and family secrets in a very real way. While I didn’t necessarily agree with each of the character’s choices and decisions along the way, I could appreciate their motives and the way Ringland explores them.
The back drop and structuring around the Australian native flowers and their language is a beautiful, poetic addition. I also particularly enjoyed the diversity of the characters and the nod to Australia’s black history.
While I can appreciate the effort and detail that has gone into this novel, I did feel that there were perhaps a few too many sub-plots going on. I almost wanted it to be scaled back so I could immerse myself further into the main story. I feel like there was potential to split this into 2 books. Because some of the earlier plot points, while resolved, felt rushed and lacking the detail they deserved, due to the continuous addition of new characters and plots.
*actual rating 3.5*
The back drop and structuring around the Australian native flowers and their language is a beautiful, poetic addition. I also particularly enjoyed the diversity of the characters and the nod to Australia’s black history.
While I can appreciate the effort and detail that has gone into this novel, I did feel that there were perhaps a few too many sub-plots going on. I almost wanted it to be scaled back so I could immerse myself further into the main story. I feel like there was potential to split this into 2 books. Because some of the earlier plot points, while resolved, felt rushed and lacking the detail they deserved, due to the continuous addition of new characters and plots.
*actual rating 3.5*
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me forever to get through this book because I had it on Libbi, but it was actually pretty good. Would buy a paper copy if I found it.
Yes, big spoilers!
It starts so well.
But then, quite appropriately, it fades and wilts.
Alice repeatedly has her agency taken from her. Things are *done* to her again and again. She has her first love taken away. She has her brother taken from her. She falls into a new job. She falls into a toxic relationship, with no seeming awareness of the echoes of her abusive dad. She has her job that she loves taken from her without a fight. The characters who have lied to her, beaten and stalked her, don't face any consequences. It's so frustrating and so unsatisfying. It's missing those beats that elevate a story: a confrontation with June over her lies and dissembling; Dylan getting the comeuppance he richly deserves.
It gets the two stars for the style and the evocative details of the flowers and the stories of the Flowers.
I finished the book, but I wanted so much better.
It starts so well.
But then, quite appropriately, it fades and wilts.
Alice repeatedly has her agency taken from her. Things are *done* to her again and again. She has her first love taken away. She has her brother taken from her. She falls into a new job. She falls into a toxic relationship, with no seeming awareness of the echoes of her abusive dad. She has her job that she loves taken from her without a fight. The characters who have lied to her, beaten and stalked her, don't face any consequences. It's so frustrating and so unsatisfying. It's missing those beats that elevate a story: a confrontation with June over her lies and dissembling; Dylan getting the comeuppance he richly deserves.
It gets the two stars for the style and the evocative details of the flowers and the stories of the Flowers.
I finished the book, but I wanted so much better.
An amazing journey through the main character's life. Highly recommended!