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cathdm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderfully written, witty and intelligent. Loved it.
helenhawken's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
5.0
kathieboucher's review against another edition
4.0
Quiet little novel about ordinary life in a drab WWII-era boardinghouse outside London. Bullies, victims, bystanders.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
4.0
This WWII novella does not contain any description of combat, death and destruction caused by warfare, yet succeeds in conveying the environment of bleakness and dreariness. Also its somewhat juvenile plot conflict adds to the realism in a perverse manner, driving home the unique theme that regardless of the extent and grandeur of tragedy around us, suffering (and salvation) will always remain very personal and petty.
sloatsj's review against another edition
4.0
This is really a fabulous book. I loved the characters and the unfolding boarding house conflict. I am grateful to the author for turning this spit so well - Thank you Mr. Hamilton!
msliz's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eleganthedgehogs's review against another edition
Lonely spinster book 1st of 3. Not generally appreciated as the masterpiece blurb suggested. Miserable, people not nice characters. Boarding house living miserable. 1@3 2@4 1@6 4@7 1@8 1DNR
sarahirish's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
1.5
hardcoverhearts's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
4.0
A very timely book about a small cast of characters having to tolerate one another in a boarding house, not because of a pandemic but because there's a war going on outside. The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton was recommended to me as one of the must-read 'spinster fictions' out there. And since I love books about independent old people who are living happily on their own, thank you very much, I had high expectations going in.
I would say that The Slaves of Solitude does largely live up to my expectations. The small cast of characters are well described and do come alive on the page. There must be a German word for this, but I love stories that involve individuals who are perfectly happy with their status quo, only to have something — or someone — enter their lives and destroy that delicate balance. In this book, the disruption comes in the form of Vicki Kugelmann, who begins the story as our protagonist friend, only to turn into a usurper in this 'domestic thriller'.
Anyway, it's a fun little book that, for some reason, reminds me of a romantic comedy — but the good kind, like You've Got Mail or Sleepless in Seattle, and not like the myriad films that Matthew McConaughey made in the mid 2000s. The characters are good, the story doesn't overstay its welcome, the writing is functional — just a good time at the Rosamund Tea Rooms.
I would say that The Slaves of Solitude does largely live up to my expectations. The small cast of characters are well described and do come alive on the page. There must be a German word for this, but I love stories that involve individuals who are perfectly happy with their status quo, only to have something — or someone — enter their lives and destroy that delicate balance. In this book, the disruption comes in the form of Vicki Kugelmann, who begins the story as our protagonist friend, only to turn into a usurper in this 'domestic thriller'.
Anyway, it's a fun little book that, for some reason, reminds me of a romantic comedy — but the good kind, like You've Got Mail or Sleepless in Seattle, and not like the myriad films that Matthew McConaughey made in the mid 2000s. The characters are good, the story doesn't overstay its welcome, the writing is functional — just a good time at the Rosamund Tea Rooms.