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andyv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brogancha's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
hollysiobhan88's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
comet_or_dove's review against another edition
dark
sad
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
2.75
diana_rlu's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lemanley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
soubhi's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
writerstears's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've never disliked a character as much as I disliked Art.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I've loved Emma Donoghue ever since I read [b:Hood|17851808|Hood|Emma Donoghue|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|1413310]. I have faithfully read and enjoyed every book she has published since.
I was looking forward to reading this one because of the setting. When I learned I might be going to Ireland in the summer of 2022 (the trip didn't happen), I only had one place I wanted to visit: Skellig Michael. Not because I am a Star Wars fan. Not because I'm particularly religious, but because of the birds. So I was beyond excited when I learned that Donoghue's latest would be about the founding of the monastery there. (Even more excited when I saw the gannet in the British edition!)
I enjoyed the book's opening, but quickly grew to hate Artt. Reeling against the excesses of the church, Artt and his companions took the bare minimum on their journey. Although Trian and Cormac--the monks who accompanied him--were concerned, they had sworn fealty to Artt and accepted Artt's decisions.
Artt was a very Old Testament monk. he believed in self sacrifice to honor God and did not understand why Trian and Cormac had other priorities (some biological, some ecological). Disclaimer: I have issued with men who hide behind theology to inflict harm upon others. As expected Trian and Cormac are not pleased and things end up coming to a head.
My rating is most likely a 3.5. The writing style is descriptive and lyrical, but the story was not always engaging and seemed to move at a glacial pace.
I was looking forward to reading this one because of the setting. When I learned I might be going to Ireland in the summer of 2022 (the trip didn't happen), I only had one place I wanted to visit: Skellig Michael. Not because I am a Star Wars fan. Not because I'm particularly religious, but because of the birds. So I was beyond excited when I learned that Donoghue's latest would be about the founding of the monastery there. (Even more excited when I saw the gannet in the British edition!)
I enjoyed the book's opening, but quickly grew to hate Artt. Reeling against the excesses of the church, Artt and his companions took the bare minimum on their journey. Although Trian and Cormac--the monks who accompanied him--were concerned, they had sworn fealty to Artt and accepted Artt's decisions.
Artt was a very Old Testament monk. he believed in self sacrifice to honor God and did not understand why Trian and Cormac had other priorities (some biological, some ecological). Disclaimer: I have issued with men who hide behind theology to inflict harm upon others. As expected Trian and Cormac are not pleased and things end up coming to a head.
My rating is most likely a 3.5. The writing style is descriptive and lyrical, but the story was not always engaging and seemed to move at a glacial pace.