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enigma_squeaks's review
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bareehakazmi's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
hannahreadsstuff's review against another edition
Couldn’t get into it! Quite bitty.
beekamason's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.0
This books jumps between characters so frequently that it's hard to see a coherent story. While I have loved other Elif Shafak books, this one fell short for me.
atenaneta's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
maddelleine's review
3.0
In The Flea Palace we, as readers, are transformed into curious observers getting the chance to peek at the lives of the people living in Bonbon Palace - just enough to make an idea of what's going on at a certain point in time, before moving on to the next apartment and the next set of characters. As we keep observing, we, at times, get surprised by some turn in perspective, by characters' confessions or little secrets.
Though with a promising start, the action seems to lack depth somewhat (maybe after The 40 Rules of Love, Honour or Black Milk the expectations were different) - I kept being left wanting to see more, to learn more about characters (it might have its certain charm as well, but this style doesn't particularly agree with me).
The ending somewhat explains the general tone of the book - its lackadaisical style comes straight from the character narrating the story and is even better explained by the character's situation (no, I'm not spoiling by giving out names) - yet the ending is somewhat abrupt and it leaves things... well, unended; the character simply got bored of continuing the story and leaves things as it is. The metaphors explored in the novel could also have been more developed, rather than just briefly presented.
Though with a promising start, the action seems to lack depth somewhat (maybe after The 40 Rules of Love, Honour or Black Milk the expectations were different) - I kept being left wanting to see more, to learn more about characters (it might have its certain charm as well, but this style doesn't particularly agree with me).
The ending somewhat explains the general tone of the book - its lackadaisical style comes straight from the character narrating the story and is even better explained by the character's situation (no, I'm not spoiling by giving out names) - yet the ending is somewhat abrupt and it leaves things... well, unended; the character simply got bored of continuing the story and leaves things as it is. The metaphors explored in the novel could also have been more developed, rather than just briefly presented.
tamerendil's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
binnurdolunay's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
thooha's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book. I really enjoyed the writing and that was one of the things that kept me going.
I just found the plot a bit hard to follow and thought about giving up a few times. Once I was okay with the thought of nothing too hard and fast happening, and just enjoy the writing and the stories as they were, finishing the book was easier.
I just found the plot a bit hard to follow and thought about giving up a few times. Once I was okay with the thought of nothing too hard and fast happening, and just enjoy the writing and the stories as they were, finishing the book was easier.