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mrslyndyp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Whilst the concept of this story may seem straight forward and somewhat predictable, the story itself is not! I found it totally engrossing as it twisted and turned it's way through the dark and often disturbing family history.
There are references to sexual abuse and abusive relationships between family members but no graphic details are given.
There are references to sexual abuse and abusive relationships between family members but no graphic details are given.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Incest
Minor: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Mental illness, and Child death
crabbyabbe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars instead of 4. I loved it; the character of Margaret is a lot like me--insofar as being an introvert goes. To work in an antiquarian bookshop and read books all day would be THE DREAM JOB of all time. Having the story lead into a dark mystery with tragic pasts only made the novel more enjoyable and took my mind off the daily problems of life here in the Covid pandemic. The book left me wanting to know more and not wanting to leave the characters--even the ones who sorrowfully died. A thought-provoking page-turner. The only reason I knocked off half of a star was because the ending was too quick and too perky for the tone that encompassed the rest of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Incest, and Child abuse
stevefraye's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Rape
mollychristiantyler's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Incest
poeticsinglemama's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
2.75
First part: 4 - 4.5
Ending: 2
I really enjoyed the first 80% of the book and then it took a turn and I almost didn't want to keep reading it. It became confusing and I'm still not completely sure what happened. It had a really good pace and then they suddenly threw in this twist and tried to explain it in a really rushed way.
<SPOILER> Suddenly Miss Winter isn't really Adeline but this third little girl, bastard child of Charlie, that looks like the twins, but that few people knew about and is referred to as a ghost...but obviously she's not a ghost or she wouldn't be alive and aging and dying. She was never really given a name and just assumed the identity of Adeline after the fire that killed one of the twins.
They also say Margaret works through her own past and secrets, but not really. Sounds like she was a conjoined twin and when they were separated her sister died, not much unraveling there. She misses a sister she didn't know.
</SPOILER>
Ending: 2
I really enjoyed the first 80% of the book and then it took a turn and I almost didn't want to keep reading it. It became confusing and I'm still not completely sure what happened. It had a really good pace and then they suddenly threw in this twist and tried to explain it in a really rushed way.
<SPOILER> Suddenly Miss Winter isn't really Adeline but this third little girl, bastard child of Charlie, that looks like the twins, but that few people knew about and is referred to as a ghost...but obviously she's not a ghost or she wouldn't be alive and aging and dying. She was never really given a name and just assumed the identity of Adeline after the fire that killed one of the twins.
They also say Margaret works through her own past and secrets, but not really. Sounds like she was a conjoined twin and when they were separated her sister died, not much unraveling there. She misses a sister she didn't know.
</SPOILER>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
chateausavoie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
At first I was a little put off at the extra dark beginning, but just like that it pulled back and a fascinating story unfolded. This book had everything I like. Intrigue, crumbling country manor, insanity, gothic and haunted tones. Honestly I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Violence
This book is a quintessential Gothic horror replete with themes and setting. If you like that genre you will be delighted. If you don't, this book probably isn't for you.drjcookies's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault
caspian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Incest
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm so glad that I finally got around to reading this much loved book. It kept me guessing throughout with exciting reveals, a rich atmosphere and characters that I grew to love.
My edition had some reading group notes at the end one of which asked when this book was set. It really made me think as the book is written in such a way that it could be placed anywhere within the 20th century and even the "modern" section could well be historical. The book is truly timeless while still having a strong sense of setting and atmosphere and that takes true skill. This really allowed the book to take its place among the classic gothic tales which it references and is inspired by. Overall, a wonderful reading experience.
WARNING: If you somehow have managed to avoid knowledge of the ending of Jane Eyre, this book will spoil it.
My edition had some reading group notes at the end one of which asked when this book was set. It really made me think as the book is written in such a way that it could be placed anywhere within the 20th century and even the "modern" section could well be historical. The book is truly timeless while still having a strong sense of setting and atmosphere and that takes true skill. This really allowed the book to take its place among the classic gothic tales which it references and is inspired by. Overall, a wonderful reading experience.
WARNING: If you somehow have managed to avoid knowledge of the ending of Jane Eyre, this book will spoil it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Incest
jessierose617's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Incest, Rape, and Self harm