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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
This is the kind of book I gobble: creepy, atmospheric, character driven, rich in symbolism and haunted pasts.
VERY We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
The characters aren’t necessarily likable so YMMV. My only real complaint was the rather obvious nature of the twists by the end. Maybe the pacing was just a bit off?
VERY We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
The characters aren’t necessarily likable so YMMV. My only real complaint was the rather obvious nature of the twists by the end. Maybe the pacing was just a bit off?
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has the gothic atmosphere reminiscent of Rebecca or Ghost Wall. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't have the tension or the visceral feel of those works. Everything unfolds along predictable lines, at a measured pace. Still, the writing was pleasant to read and very evokative (if a tad overdetailed). It might not be the best book I've ever read, but it's competent and enoyable.
dark
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
tense
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
We're in rural England in 1969. Frances is 39 but she is an old 39. Her life has revolved around her recently deceased mother. She's overweight, she's never had a significant romantic relationship and she hasn't got any close friends. Her passion is garden architecture (bridges, statues etc) and she is hired to make an inventory of what is in the garden of a recently acquired, very dilapidated stately home. There is another couple also staying in the home (Peter and Cara) who are doing the same thing for the contents of the interior and wine cellar.
Frances is drawn to the charismatic couple and becomes increasingly consumed by them. Initially she's observing them from afar but gradually she becomes friends with them both. However this is one of those books when you realise that no one is quite what they seem and that what initially seemed straightforward is actually more complex.
This is a clever story that leaves you thinking about it afterwards, but I liked the idea of this book more than I liked the book itself. I simply didn't care enough about the characters, I got bored with Cara's stories and waiting for the storyline to take shape. It does come together in a clever way though. It reminded me in some ways of The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud, but it doesn't have the powerful punch that book does.
Frances is drawn to the charismatic couple and becomes increasingly consumed by them. Initially she's observing them from afar but gradually she becomes friends with them both. However this is one of those books when you realise that no one is quite what they seem and that what initially seemed straightforward is actually more complex.
This is a clever story that leaves you thinking about it afterwards, but I liked the idea of this book more than I liked the book itself. I simply didn't care enough about the characters, I got bored with Cara's stories and waiting for the storyline to take shape. It does come together in a clever way though. It reminded me in some ways of The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud, but it doesn't have the powerful punch that book does.
Sadly, I expected much more from this book and was really disappointed.
I think I can only summarize my problems with Bitter Orange by saying that, even though I wanted to be, I was never convinced to suspend my disbelief. I found the characters astoundingly unconvincing. I could appreciate the main character's social awkwardness but apart from that, nothing about any of the characters rang true. The same problem extended to their actions, which were also never convincing or believable for me. The grim view that Claire Fuller offers of humanity, rather than feeling profound or insightful, felt like a stunt simply designed in an attempt to be shocking.
That being said, I think Claire Fuller is a better writer than this, so I am definitely willing to try some of her other work.
I think I can only summarize my problems with Bitter Orange by saying that, even though I wanted to be, I was never convinced to suspend my disbelief. I found the characters astoundingly unconvincing. I could appreciate the main character's social awkwardness but apart from that, nothing about any of the characters rang true. The same problem extended to their actions, which were also never convincing or believable for me. The grim view that Claire Fuller offers of humanity, rather than feeling profound or insightful, felt like a stunt simply designed in an attempt to be shocking.
That being said, I think Claire Fuller is a better writer than this, so I am definitely willing to try some of her other work.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes