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nickelini's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meg_elyse's review
3.0
I feel like this book would be beautiful in its native language.
As it was, it felt like a translated book. Charming, but shortchanged.
As it was, it felt like a translated book. Charming, but shortchanged.
crazygoangirl's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this short book (145 pages)., more because of the abrupt prose and stilted narrative rather than the actual story itself. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that it’s translated. Anyway, it took me a while to accustom myself to the way the sentences were framed and the rhythm of the narrative.
The story itself is straightforward - a couple move into an isolated village (very reminiscent of 3 Pines from Penny’s Gamache series, except she has 3 Pines and this one has 3 hills). Descriptions of the mostly down and out characters and the rhythm of their lives in said village follow. This is not a particularly plot heavy story. Verhulst relies on flashbacks and dream-like scenarios (am still not certain whether they were imaginary or real), to tell his story and chapters jump from one character to another rather haphazardly.
While there is a poignancy to the premise I thought Verhulst made the story more difficult in the telling than it needed to be, whether by design or otherwise I cannot say. I didn’t dislike it but I wish it had been smoother reading experience given that it’s such a short book. In the end a mixed bag at best.
The story itself is straightforward - a couple move into an isolated village (very reminiscent of 3 Pines from Penny’s Gamache series, except she has 3 Pines and this one has 3 hills). Descriptions of the mostly down and out characters and the rhythm of their lives in said village follow. This is not a particularly plot heavy story. Verhulst relies on flashbacks and dream-like scenarios (am still not certain whether they were imaginary or real), to tell his story and chapters jump from one character to another rather haphazardly.
While there is a poignancy to the premise I thought Verhulst made the story more difficult in the telling than it needed to be, whether by design or otherwise I cannot say. I didn’t dislike it but I wish it had been smoother reading experience given that it’s such a short book. In the end a mixed bag at best.
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