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local_cryptid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
daniela_dy06's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ixjewell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
omp's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I wanted so much more from this bit of historical fiction with a Gothic lean. It's a time period of women who don't fit society's norms being shut away in asylums by the men in their lives. The doctors in charge are cruel and see these women only as fodder for experiments, and society, while fearing the women, also view them as entertainment. Throw in a bit of psychic wonder, and it should be a fabulous story.
However, it falls flat. There is no solid plot. The characters lack real development and depth. And the ending is so very predictable and lackluster.
There are a few poignant lines scattered through the text, though...
"The people who judged her, the people who have judged me... their judgement stems from their own beliefs. Unswerving faith in any idea inevitably leads to prejudice. Have I told you how calm I feel since I began to doubt? What is important is not to have beliefs, but to be able to doubt, to question anything, everything, even oneself. To doubt."
However, it falls flat. There is no solid plot. The characters lack real development and depth. And the ending is so very predictable and lackluster.
There are a few poignant lines scattered through the text, though...
"The people who judged her, the people who have judged me... their judgement stems from their own beliefs. Unswerving faith in any idea inevitably leads to prejudice. Have I told you how calm I feel since I began to doubt? What is important is not to have beliefs, but to be able to doubt, to question anything, everything, even oneself. To doubt."
sophrolijkbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely writing style.
Nice to read about the 18 hundreds. Interesting to see how it was for woman in that time. Love the growth of Genevieve!
Nice to read about the 18 hundreds. Interesting to see how it was for woman in that time. Love the growth of Genevieve!
racheybee77's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mtaltos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hollywouldread's review against another edition
4.0
Really compelling beautifully written novel that went to unexpected places seamlessly. More like a 4.5* read tbh.
motherofladybirds's review against another edition
3.0
The treatment of women and how they ended up in asylums for no good reason in 18th century France.
belen_mrtnz's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0