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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
This book grew on me as it unfolded. I probably would not have picked this up if I hadn’t read and enjoyed Claire Fuller in the past. It was very slow and took me awhile to get into, and I almost DNF’d it.
Frances is a very strange, awkward main character, and the disjointed way the story is told does not help the narrative. I do think it helps lend to the gothic atmosphere, and the general unsettling vibe felt throughout the book. As always, Claire Fuller’s prose is beautifully done. The crawling pace and strange narrative took down a few stars for me.
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bitter Orange takes a fairly long while to settle into - the first third felt immensely slow and left this reader unsure of where he was being taken and if he was still in it for the ride. The slow build thankfully pays off - Claire Fuller writes a powerful story of a middle-aged woman, Frances, coming of age through her two younger, beautiful summer companions, Cara and Peter, and feeling young, beautiful, secure, and loved for the first time in her life. Bitter Orange ruminates on the truths, half-truths, and lies we tell ourselves and each other in order to live and make sense of our lives, the regrets we carry, and the loves we seek and are not given.
May recommend for fans of The Girls by Emma Cline.
Update 1/9/2024: Previously rated 4.5 stars; downgraded to 4.25 stars.
Update 10/13/2024: Previously rated 4.25 stars; downgraded to 4.0 stars.
May recommend for fans of The Girls by Emma Cline.
Update 1/9/2024: Previously rated 4.5 stars; downgraded to 4.25 stars.
Update 10/13/2024: Previously rated 4.25 stars; downgraded to 4.0 stars.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reminiscent of Rebecca, I was intrigued by the story but also by the prose and the beauty of the writing.
But I didn’t like the end. No spoilers, I was simply disappointed. I felt that some of the complexity of characters was dismissed.
SOME SPOILERS HERE WITHOUT GOING INTO SPECIFICS:
A character who had complexity, who was not all good nor all evil, but also had very serious faults and flaws, was let off the hook. Never actually held accountable for their actions.
Someone was simply a liar. What’s the point of intriguing dueling perspectives if one is a psychopath? The end undermined the entire development of the characters.
The very last chapter was beautiful, but the “story wrap up” section just upset me.
But I didn’t like the end. No spoilers, I was simply disappointed. I felt that some of the complexity of characters was dismissed.
SOME SPOILERS HERE WITHOUT GOING INTO SPECIFICS:
A character who had complexity, who was not all good nor all evil, but also had very serious faults and flaws, was let off the hook. Never actually held accountable for their actions.
Someone was simply a liar. What’s the point of intriguing dueling perspectives if one is a psychopath? The end undermined the entire development of the characters.
The very last chapter was beautiful, but the “story wrap up” section just upset me.
I managed to finish a Claire Fuller book! (I've DNFed two previously.) I enjoyed her writing style and the characterisation was (mostly*) excellent, as was the scene-setting (this novel takes place in a crumbling stately home, which I loved as a venue) but the plot was very slow and there wasn't enough tension to keep me interested - I think this was my problem with her other books too, but the characters here got me through it.
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
Spoiler
*I say mostly because I didn't pick up on the fact Victor fancied Frances at all, I thought he was kind of annoying and judgemental! Also, was Frances supposed to be autistic? I think she was, and the fact this wasn't named makes sense with the 1960s setting
4.5 stars, possibly 5. Need to think more about this one, it's several layers deep.
dark
mysterious
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
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
This book is the definition of a slow burn. It took me a while to get into, but I’m so glad I finally sunk my teeth in it. Holy atmosphere Batman! So we’ll done. The setting was absolutely oppressive- and I’m still baffled written words on a page can do that.
THIS is how you use extended metaphors without hitting the reader over the head with them.
I absolutely couldn’t stand the protagonist, which is clearly the point, but I did struggle a bit with that.
Just a beautiful, dark, tragic novel.
THIS is how you use extended metaphors without hitting the reader over the head with them.
I absolutely couldn’t stand the protagonist, which is clearly the point, but I did struggle a bit with that.
Just a beautiful, dark, tragic novel.