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eliotopian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dolphinlvr0920's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
nat_dranyam's review
3.0
An entertaining book the sometimes tends to be a bit slow and makes you not like or understand the decisions our protagonist makes.
stbeaners's review
4.0
What a delightful book. The mystery isn't all that big of one, but I like that the author makes you work for it a bit. The scenes are all easy to imagine, and I loved that as you learn more about her life, you are given smells to imagine more than visuals. It's a wonderful balance of having a painter accompanying a perfume maker, giving you the ability to draw on the visual and the olfactory. Too many details would spoil things, but while everything ties up very nicely, it is not in an annoying way. Everything fits, the length is fair, and the story is sweet.
sprpenguin17's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
misshuckleberry's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the most delightful, fun, charming, and interesting books I’ve read in a long time. What I most delighted in was the dialogue. So often, it is unrealistic and stilted, or silly and unrealistic. In this case, the dialogue captures the personality of the characters beautifully. In fairness, I listened to the audiobook as well and switched back-and-forth, so it probably helped because there was such a terrific narrator. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two main characters, Alice and Daltry, is actually strengthened by the way they speak to each other. You learn more about each of them. Their personality really comes across.
It was also a unique plot. I love when I learn things, which is often the case with historical fiction. It gave me an entirely different perspective on Istanbul, and at one point addresses— albeit almost only as a mention— the extremely not well-known genocide of the Armenians by the Turks. Nevertheless, despite some of the sad events which are part of the unfolding of the characters’ histories, I would still describe this book as fun and charming.
I had not heard of this author, but I am very eager to read more of his stuff.
It was also a unique plot. I love when I learn things, which is often the case with historical fiction. It gave me an entirely different perspective on Istanbul, and at one point addresses— albeit almost only as a mention— the extremely not well-known genocide of the Armenians by the Turks. Nevertheless, despite some of the sad events which are part of the unfolding of the characters’ histories, I would still describe this book as fun and charming.
I had not heard of this author, but I am very eager to read more of his stuff.
ahceinaej's review against another edition
3.0
Better than I expected
I wasn’t all that interested by the book at first, but it gradually got better, and then I was hooked!
I wasn’t all that interested by the book at first, but it gradually got better, and then I was hooked!
vickisouza44's review
3.0
Most of this book was interesting…the ending felt rushed and didn’t seem quite right.