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jencolumb0's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I had the luck of reading Room With a View just before happening to pick this one up and I am so thrilled that I did. It made Winman’s play off EM Forester that much more delightful (and made the time I spent with his incredibly unlikeable characters quite worthwhile). Even if you’ve read Room with a View, it’s worth re-reading before you pick this one up, just to get the full breadth of the conversation Winman is having.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal death, Infidelity, Death, Car accident, and Abortion
frankieclc's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
julied's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed spending time in Florence with these characters. There were a few things with the writing I wish were not there but generally I really loved this story. I give a book five stars if it is something I want to keep forever, a book I can see myself rereading one day. This was definitely a group of people I will revisit. I laughed. I cried. I learned a few things. If someone were to ask me if they should read this I would tell them all of that but warn them that there is an open door scene between two people who are fairly young teens. I don't usually mind an open door or two if it adds something to the story and the participants are adults. I can see where someone might not enjoy some of the fantastical elements. I actually did which is not typical of my taste. They are few and far between and the silly helped break up the sad a little. I found this story really sweet and it helped me appreciate my own still life more than I otherwise would have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Death, War, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
mandkips's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Murder
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is a book about the passing of time, and the connections we make and lose along the way. But it's so brilliantly wistful and so utterly brimming with beauty, that it just pulls you in and holds onto you.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
ye_li's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
daisydoolie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
I really really adored this book, every now and then the sheer serendipity of the story lines and the way certain characters reacted to things felt...unrealistic and took me out of it a bit. But fundamentally, it’s a story isn’t it and not meant to be completely realistic. It was full of big love and hope and gorgeous character development and realistic lesbians!!!! Left me with a warm feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Drug use, Cursing, Vomit, Violence, Classism, Alcoholism, Abandonment, War, and Toxic relationship
veganecurrywurst's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
I don't quite get why everyone loves this book so much.
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
The characters are really lovely and the storyline is sweet. The authors style of writing is interesting, because in a way ith feels like a still life (in a good way).
However, it felt like eating to much lemon cake ( In the beginning it tastes amazing, but after a while you are just not hungry anymore, but you still have to finish the cake and you are starting to feel sick. If you are a person that can eat endless amounts of lemon cake without feeling sick, I strongly recommend this book)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Rape, Ableism, Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Murder, Homophobia, and Death of parent
epellicci's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I wasn't sure I would like Still Life when I began the book. Set in post World War Two Italy and London, it was slow paced. A story that ambled through the life of a soldier finding his feet when he returned to the world of being a civilian. However with a little perseverance, Still Life is so much more than the mundane traipse I had expected. It is a book about life, and love and heart. With breathtakingly beautiful writing and moments that are oh so tender, it made me laugh out loud as well as cry. The characters are so spirited. They jump from the pages, and they will stay with you. Still Life is full of the lived experiences of people, and the bonds that we carry through life. Captivating and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
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