Reviews

Λατρεία by Hannah Kent

melanieh_5's review against another edition

5.0

Another stunning novel by Hannah Kent. I absolutely adored the first half of this book. Kent tells the story of Hanne and Thea and the life of the Old Lutherans in Prussia with enthralling and beautiful writing. Their journey to South Australia was depicted with thought and detail. The twist in the middle of the book was definitely a little perplexing in the beginning and I must say, I am not the biggest fan of the protagonist becoming a ghost for the remainder of the novel, but that is of course my personal opinion and preference. However, Kent is a beautiful and lyrical storyteller so after a while I again fell in love with the story. The link between the second half of the novel and Hanne and Thea’s first meeting in the forest was, in many ways, a work of genius. As always with Kent, the writing is beautiful and elegant and Kent has again proved herself to be an incredible storyteller.

sprockette's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

piaoflynn's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

vkheisler's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

readinginthebathagain's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

bestknownfor's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

3.75

Lyrical and beautifully written. The second act twist is bold but interesting, although I personally preferred the more grounded tone of the first act. 

I did find aspects of the love story a bit unsatisfying... I buy their connection, but I feel like Hanne never really confronts or acknowledges her

possessiveness and how deeply Thea is grieving her.

The ending also felt a bit sudden and

arbitrarily tragic

in a way that felt tonally off from the atmospheric pace.

Still a worthy read though.

crookeddustjacket's review against another edition

slow-paced

4.0

olivia_skipsey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

5.0

misty_kb's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Sexual content

lambsears's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this one more than I did, because the writing is so very good and because it examines some of the history of the area where I live.

Kent is a hugely talented writer and her research was fascinating. Her descriptive writing is exceptional and utterly evocative. The section of the novel devoted to the voyage are gruelling and absolutely struck a chord for me as my pregnant great-great grandmother travelled to Adelaide from Ireland at about the same time in history. But by the time I was nearing the end of the first part I could already feel myself becoming a little jaded, so I welcomed the plot twist that occurs onboard the ship anticipating something more.

The second half promised more, but really I felt it didn't deliver. Once again the writing was outstanding, but I found it all a bit repetitive, and the romance aspect to be very adolescent - which I guess it was, but it didn't grow or mature over the years.

I've heard Kent say that she wanted to portray a grand love - but I'm just not sure she did that convincingly.



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