Reviews

Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes

bobthebookerer's review against another edition

4.0

I’m entirely torn on how to review this.

In my opinion, some of Barnes’ finest character work, with that almost lingering menace of never quite being able to fully ‘know’ someone you’re interested in, in a way that reminded me of my favourite parts of the wonderful A Sense Of An Ending.

But then there were also long passages about religion, history and art that were interesting and I’m sure linked to the plot in a really clever way that went over my head, especially around which story is correct and which story we can believe.

I don’t know- halfway through this book I was ready to throw in the towel, but then some of the end sections were incredible.

So maybe 3.5? Who knows. I feel like Barnes would want these kind of polarising reactions within the book itself.

olosta's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense 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

4.75

marvsbooks's review against another edition

2.0

I’m sure this book is amazing for some readers. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.

The first chapter was intriguing and mostly kept my attention. It was very literary and not much happened, but the story progressed.

Then the MC went down the rabbit hole of research and the book turned into a nonfiction history lesson about some vaguely Christian/pagan history? Lost me. Not a fan.

So 2 stars because 1/3 of the book was pretty good.

joangittel's review against another edition

I love Julian Barnes. I will continue to love Julian Barnes and read everything he writes. But this one just wasn't for me. I got through the first third and liked it enough. I started this, read a couple of other things in between and tried to get back into it.
Barnes can write a sentence like no one else and the slow pacing is usually engaging and meditative.
I am used to Barnes being a little pretentious, and I love it. But this went over my head. And the Christian undertones were really not interesting to me, not something I care about at all.
See you next time Julian.

fizreads's review against another edition

3.0

'There can be a complacency to failure as much as a complacency to success.'

bootycheeks's review against another edition

2.0

Dropped this book..!!! I could not bare to read anymore , I loved the way he wrote about her but.. it felt so dragged on and like all I’d been reading was a love letter to a teacher for way to many pages

mirandaossolinski's review

informative 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

4.25

simonekuling's review against another edition

2.0

Ik kom er wel gewoon echt achter dat literaire fiction helaas echt niet mijn genre is. Ik zou het heel graag willen, maar ik mis gewoon de sensatie doordat er weer een boze koning aan de macht is gekomen

reader_79's review

informative reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

camazing's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0