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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
This was my first Claire Fuller and it was a solid okay. A lonely 39 year old meets up with a younger couple when she is hired to evaluate the grounds of an estate in rural England. The house had been occupied by German soldiers during World War II. It is now 1969, and Frances Jellico has recently lost her mother after caring for her through a long, debilitating illness. Frances has nothing else going on in her life, no other family or friends and jumps at this opportunity. Living solely with her hypercritical mother has not prepared Frances to interact and live with others. Some of the plot points strained credulity and the three main characters were not all that likeable. By the end, I was not invested in them and was not sorry to be done with them. Claire Fuller writes description beautifully, so you really felt you were in rural England. This may be a case of the wrong book at the wrong time; as the pandemic grinds on, I am turning to and reading more nonfiction.
This was a good read with atmosphere and twists and turns out of nowhere.
This was a bit slow in places but I really liked it, it felt a bit like a gothic mystery but set in 1969 England.
I think this book very much accomplished it’s goal - it was deeply unsettling and a little bit like a fever dream. I did not find any of the characters to be all that likable, but they definitely felt familiar… like people I’ve met that I would generally try to steer clear from in the future. This isn’t a bad thing in a suspense novel!
The writing was gorgeous and I very much enjoyed the setting! The imagery was rich and lush. Layered with symbolism, I’m sure this one would make an excellent book club novel - lots and lots to dissect and parse through the meaning of.
Overall, did really enjoy it. I found the final “twist” a little… expected? But I reveled in the journey through France’s narration.
The writing was gorgeous and I very much enjoyed the setting! The imagery was rich and lush. Layered with symbolism, I’m sure this one would make an excellent book club novel - lots and lots to dissect and parse through the meaning of.
Overall, did really enjoy it. I found the final “twist” a little… expected? But I reveled in the journey through France’s narration.
I really enjoyed this book. Great plot twists which I didn’t see coming! Fuller is a wonderful storyteller and I always enjoy the way in which her characters unfold.
There is so much more to this one that can even be absorbed. It's like Gatsby meets Ruth Ware with the style of Rebecca.
The synopsis of this book sounded so intriguing but I ended up being bored to death and not giving a crap about these characters. The switches between past and present were not clear and often times I found myself confused and had to start the paragraph over to realize I was back in present day. I kept putting this book down, picking up another to read, and then picking it back up again. I don't like to DNF books which is why I struggled through this. The reason this is two stars instead of one is because of the atmosphere of the book which is the only thing that saved it. I do not recommend this one.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid 3.5. It was such a slow burn the first 150ish pages. So much minute description- well written, but I started to feel bored and impatient. The second half of the book picked up in intensity and pace. The ending was fantastic. Would
Make an excellent film. There was something so extremely visual about the writing and the story..
Make an excellent film. There was something so extremely visual about the writing and the story..