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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Such beautiful descriptive writing that captures the suddenness and uncontrollable nature of death. The imagery in the author’s writing was so vivid to the point where I could see this book playing out like a movie. The moment before Agnes’s wedding when Eliza asks Agnes to make her flower crown, reminded me of the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, specifically when the Bennet sisters gossiped about Mr Bingley in bed. What a lovely, light-hearted moment. Agnes’s grief and pain in the second part of the book was gut wrenching to read. I had a constant lump in my throat as I read of her despondency and withdrawal from everyday life. I didn’t just read about this family’s grief as an outside observer, I felt it.
What hesitates me from giving this book 4 stars is the lack of nuance in Agnes’s character throughout the majority of the book. To me, she felt other-worldly and unrelatable. I couldn’t connect to this person who grips people’s hands and reads the depths of their souls, or create tonics to cure sick people. The nuances of her character is only revealed when Agnes realises her humanity and feebleness against the greater forces responsible for the fate of her son. There was a lack of characterisation for most characters in the novel as well who seemed to be caricatures of troubled family members and dynamics. At times, some of the moments of the book felt a bit cheesy to read, particularly with preparations of the wedding, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this book will be adapted into a movie or series in the next coming years (or if it’s already a movie/series and I just don’t know about it).
What hesitates me from giving this book 4 stars is the lack of nuance in Agnes’s character throughout the majority of the book. To me, she felt other-worldly and unrelatable. I couldn’t connect to this person who grips people’s hands and reads the depths of their souls, or create tonics to cure sick people. The nuances of her character is only revealed when Agnes realises her humanity and feebleness against the greater forces responsible for the fate of her son. There was a lack of characterisation for most characters in the novel as well who seemed to be caricatures of troubled family members and dynamics. At times, some of the moments of the book felt a bit cheesy to read, particularly with preparations of the wedding, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this book will be adapted into a movie or series in the next coming years (or if it’s already a movie/series and I just don’t know about it).
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
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
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
'what is the word for someone who was a twin but is no longer a twin?'
i actually have so many thoughts about this one!!
ive read one of maggie o'farrell's other books before (the marriage portrait) and there are so many thematic similarities
they both feature the swapping of children, whether it be twins or milk sisters, in some tragic twist of fate
the portrayal of agnes' grief and the consequent effect it had on her and william's relationship genuinely had me bawling my eyes out
i just know paul mescal as shakespeare in the upcoming film will emotionally wreck me
i actually have so many thoughts about this one!!
ive read one of maggie o'farrell's other books before (the marriage portrait) and there are so many thematic similarities
they both feature the swapping of children, whether it be twins or milk sisters, in some tragic twist of fate
the portrayal of agnes' grief and the consequent effect it had on her and william's relationship genuinely had me bawling my eyes out
i just know paul mescal as shakespeare in the upcoming film will emotionally wreck me
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wowza. Dragged a bit at times but otherwise beautifully written and lyrical. Also quite a timely novel!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Den var typ bra men lite väl långsam kanske? Idk jag gillade att läsa den men det var alltid lite tråkigt att börja
emotional
sad
medium-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
This was okay, but fell a little flat.
I enjoyed the insights into the plague and the storyline of Shakespeare meeting his wife and her herbal remedies and skills. The rest however felt a bit dull and didn't leave me instantly wishing to pick the book back up.
The half of the book before Hamnet died felt a bit more engaging than the latter half.
I enjoyed the insights into the plague and the storyline of Shakespeare meeting his wife and her herbal remedies and skills. The rest however felt a bit dull and didn't leave me instantly wishing to pick the book back up.
The half of the book before Hamnet died felt a bit more engaging than the latter half.