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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
This. All the feels for this book, with its deep emotion. Something like The Thirteenth Hour meets Atonement in the moment between the great wars. This should be the next “it” fiction that everyone reads, it’s that good.
What happens when a girl is born in the jazz age as a part of the set, but she sees beyond it? Life, life happens and turns everything on its head.
What happens when a girl is born in the jazz age as a part of the set, but she sees beyond it? Life, life happens and turns everything on its head.
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest.
It is not a bad book. It is just not to my taste. It drags a lot and the whole mother telling a 10 year old about her wild 20s and romance was just...bizarre.
I got halfway and saw the origin of the young girl telegraphed near the beginning with something the grandmother said, so decided to just hard pass on finishing this book.
Time to pass this on to another reader.
It is not a bad book. It is just not to my taste. It drags a lot and the whole mother telling a 10 year old about her wild 20s and romance was just...bizarre.
I got halfway and saw the origin of the young girl telegraphed near the beginning with something the grandmother said, so decided to just hard pass on finishing this book.
Time to pass this on to another reader.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set in England in 1925 and 1936 it goes between these two periods of Selina's life as part of the Bright Young Things and Alice her daughter. This book is a mix of romance and historical fiction. Grey's writing is strong and beautiful that you are transported to these place and get a feel for life in the 20s and 30s for not only the upper wealthy of Selina's family but also the life of the artists of Lawrence's friends and place in society.
I loved the codes and hunt for Alice, along with the letters and Polly's devotion to not only Selina but Alice as well. You just feel so heart broken for Alice in that huge house and no one letting her be herself, so glad Petterson lets her enjoy the garden and dig!
The way the story is written is just perfect, you get Alice's side, Selina's side, Lawrence's side so you can get the full picture of not only each view but a better idea of the place- England at those time periods.
This story is complex not only with the timelines but the hidden secrets, the family drama, the need to be in their place in society, the love, the fun, and the sadness. I haven't read a book that pulled at my heart strings like this one in a long time! Have your tissues ready!
Note: Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin’s Press for the review copy for an honest review
I loved the codes and hunt for Alice, along with the letters and Polly's devotion to not only Selina but Alice as well. You just feel so heart broken for Alice in that huge house and no one letting her be herself, so glad Petterson lets her enjoy the garden and dig!
The way the story is written is just perfect, you get Alice's side, Selina's side, Lawrence's side so you can get the full picture of not only each view but a better idea of the place- England at those time periods.
This story is complex not only with the timelines but the hidden secrets, the family drama, the need to be in their place in society, the love, the fun, and the sadness. I haven't read a book that pulled at my heart strings like this one in a long time! Have your tissues ready!
Note: Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin’s Press for the review copy for an honest review
emotional
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated
Beautiful book that takes you back to the 20s such a fun time of jazz and champagne.
Set in England in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the novel tells the social history of life at that time. Selina is one of the Beautiful Young Things, a group of socialites partying, drinking and enjoying life after the losses of WWI. Her story is one of love, not for her husband but a man of a lesser social stature, a photographer named Lawrence. Some of the story is predictable, but it is a good read that will keep you absorbed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
This one was a slow start for me but wow, the back half really got me. Narrated by one of my favorite audiobook narrators, Imogen Church- loved this on audio.