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annartyler's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
canadagirl1008's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
uglycovers's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting concept insufficiently handled.
The book begins with a impactful tragedy and a fascinating dilemma. Both Jake and Stella are fully fleshed out characters with interesting backgrounds but when they come together... it becomes a little blah. In particular, Jake's attitude towards the end of the book is unpleasant and the ending feels forced and unlikely given all that has happened between them. Too much is forgiven or overlooked way too quickly and I never felt any investment in their relationship enough the warrant the severity of their feelings.
O'Farrell's transitions between perspectives are confusing at best, baffling at worst and at times feel like they're more of a hindrance than a help to the storytelling. An interesting sneakpeak into what O'Farrell will be able to accomplish in her later works, but is at yet unmastered.
The book begins with a impactful tragedy and a fascinating dilemma. Both Jake and Stella are fully fleshed out characters with interesting backgrounds but when they come together... it becomes a little blah. In particular, Jake's attitude towards the end of the book is unpleasant and the ending feels forced and unlikely given all that has happened between them. Too much is forgiven or overlooked way too quickly and I never felt any investment in their relationship enough the warrant the severity of their feelings.
O'Farrell's transitions between perspectives are confusing at best, baffling at worst and at times feel like they're more of a hindrance than a help to the storytelling. An interesting sneakpeak into what O'Farrell will be able to accomplish in her later works, but is at yet unmastered.
hjfritz27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
trepzi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
faedre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
_shania's review against another edition
4.0
a bit simple but good writing and sometimes u just need a slightly sappy and straight forward love story!!!
_laurabb_'s review against another edition
3.0
An intense and gripping story with romantically rich scene setting, once I got into this book, I really enjoyed the innovative storytelling structure and character’s journeys.
But this book is really for committed readers.
I think a casual reader would get overwhelmed easily by the depth of description. I definitely got lost and didn’t know who was who quite a few times because there was so much describing in-between character interaction. Even though I like the expansive web of the families involved, as it beautifully weaves our characters issues with those of their family, taking so much time away from the main characters meant you didn’t have as many reasons (or as much time) to care about them.
Great representation for those descended from two cultures and if you like complex female characters. (Which you should
But this book is really for committed readers.
I think a casual reader would get overwhelmed easily by the depth of description. I definitely got lost and didn’t know who was who quite a few times because there was so much describing in-between character interaction. Even though I like the expansive web of the families involved, as it beautifully weaves our characters issues with those of their family, taking so much time away from the main characters meant you didn’t have as many reasons (or as much time) to care about them.
Great representation for those descended from two cultures and if you like complex female characters. (Which you should
codiewood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
greensalbet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Because this is one of O'Farrell's earlier novels, the POVs and quick shifts in time can be off-putting. But my real criticism about The Distance Between Us is that it takes on too many themes that aren't balanced equally and ends with a tidy conclusion that is sweet, but forced.
The basic story is about two star-crossed lovers: Stella Ianelli Gilmore is an Irish-Italian raised in Edinburg, Scotland by an Italian-speaking mother, along with sister Nina, who suffered a rare virus in childhood leaving her bedridden for almost two years, and father Archie. Jake Kildoune, a British-Asian young man is the only son of a free spirited single mother from Britain and a nomadic Scottish father he's never met. He is raised in Hong Kong by mum Caroline, who knows little about the man who sired her child. Caroline gives Jake the name of the location her one-night-stand said he hailed from in Northern Scotland when he decides to embark on a genealogical collecting journey in Scotland. Jake learns Kidoune was originally the name of the hippie where his father once lived, but it has now become and abandoned barn on the property behind the Inn called Kildoune.
When our two protagonists meet at the Scotland Inn, one is running from her life, and the other is running towards his life -- trying to find details about his father's roots. And they fall in love.
The basic story is about two star-crossed lovers: Stella Ianelli Gilmore is an Irish-Italian raised in Edinburg, Scotland by an Italian-speaking mother, along with sister Nina, who suffered a rare virus in childhood leaving her bedridden for almost two years, and father Archie. Jake Kildoune, a British-Asian young man is the only son of a free spirited single mother from Britain and a nomadic Scottish father he's never met. He is raised in Hong Kong by mum Caroline, who knows little about the man who sired her child. Caroline gives Jake the name of the location her one-night-stand said he hailed from in Northern Scotland when he decides to embark on a genealogical collecting journey in Scotland. Jake learns Kidoune was originally the name of the hippie where his father once lived, but it has now become and abandoned barn on the property behind the Inn called Kildoune.
When our two protagonists meet at the Scotland Inn, one is running from her life, and the other is running towards his life -- trying to find details about his father's roots. And they fall in love.