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qu33nofbookz's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you net gallery and the publisher for this book I won in a givaway
The story of two families and three lives intertwined spanning years of summer spent on an island for rich families. The stupidity of cloistered young women who are treated as decoration and make mistakes that shape the rest of their lives and the man who gets away with it all because of money and his heritage. The story dragged on a little longer then it needed but the detail was good and the characters entertaining enough. There was slow growth for them but they finally managed to come out of their shells to be wiser and more independent. However, it took place in fits and starts and didn't really take off until the end of the book. The first half of the book is slow and predictable and there was a lot that didn't need to be there as it is implied or rehashed later.
Last this story has been told before and often.
The story of two families and three lives intertwined spanning years of summer spent on an island for rich families. The stupidity of cloistered young women who are treated as decoration and make mistakes that shape the rest of their lives and the man who gets away with it all because of money and his heritage. The story dragged on a little longer then it needed but the detail was good and the characters entertaining enough. There was slow growth for them but they finally managed to come out of their shells to be wiser and more independent. However, it took place in fits and starts and didn't really take off until the end of the book. The first half of the book is slow and predictable and there was a lot that didn't need to be there as it is implied or rehashed later.
Last this story has been told before and often.
carolineh5698's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lamom77's review against another edition
5.0
This is perfect Beatriz Williams historical fiction! She moves forwards and backwards through time perfectly; she wraps up everyones stories in the end; and provides the reader with such a beautiful, clear description of the setting and characters that you feel like you are there among them. Loved it!
beansbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
i remember this being a solid read. fun little twist.
gwalt118's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would based on the jacket description.
The first half of the novel is, for lack of a better word, quite boring. Nothing much happens and there is a lot of unnecessary description. I typically like descriptive writing, especially in historical fiction, but Williams doesn't differ her writing style, syntax, or diction enough for her multiple descriptions to be captivating.
I would encourage readers to stick with it, though, because the second half (especially the last third) of the book is quite good and compelling. Williams starts to fill in the gaps, relationships develop, and characters finally take action.
Underlying this novel, there is a statement about class and the haves vs. the have-nots on the island. That aspect of the novel seemed a bit fantastical. Isobel's character essentially morphs into two people, which I found very annoying. The Countess seems like a figment of one's imagination and is portrayed as a fringe character despite the fact that she has a tremendous effect on the trajectory of multiple other characters' lives.
The ending saves this novel. I loved the ending, and I don't say that very often. Things are not wrapped up in a tidy bow and not everyone is happy when the novel ends. It's quite realistic in that way.
The novel leaves itself open to companion works - not necessarily sequels, but perhaps the story told from different individual's viewpoints, namely Joseph and Isobel. I wonder if Williams did this intentionally... we'll have to wait and see.
The first half of the novel is, for lack of a better word, quite boring. Nothing much happens and there is a lot of unnecessary description. I typically like descriptive writing, especially in historical fiction, but Williams doesn't differ her writing style, syntax, or diction enough for her multiple descriptions to be captivating.
I would encourage readers to stick with it, though, because the second half (especially the last third) of the book is quite good and compelling. Williams starts to fill in the gaps, relationships develop, and characters finally take action.
Underlying this novel, there is a statement about class and the haves vs. the have-nots on the island. That aspect of the novel seemed a bit fantastical. Isobel's character essentially morphs into two people, which I found very annoying. The Countess seems like a figment of one's imagination and is portrayed as a fringe character despite the fact that she has a tremendous effect on the trajectory of multiple other characters' lives.
The ending saves this novel. I loved the ending, and I don't say that very often. Things are not wrapped up in a tidy bow and not everyone is happy when the novel ends. It's quite realistic in that way.
The novel leaves itself open to companion works - not necessarily sequels, but perhaps the story told from different individual's viewpoints, namely Joseph and Isobel. I wonder if Williams did this intentionally... we'll have to wait and see.
catric's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
traceyanneg's review against another edition
5.0
Great writing. I had to re-read and savor quite a few passages of this book.
jenna_reads27's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0