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katymitchell's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
2.25
iphigenie72's review against another edition
5.0
Joan Scudamore is stranded in the desert waiting for a train for several days. This break from her busy life permits her to reevaluate her past. Will she be able to change?
Most of this story goes in the memories of Joan though the reader is encouraged to make his own discoveries; in fact, throughout the book we understand more about what's in Joan's life than she does. The characters were all interesting and it is easy to sympathize with them in their difficulties. I especially liked Rodney (Joan's husband), I understood him very well.
Joan does discover things about herself, things she has never even thought of. My emotions were very invested in this story and by the ending I had shed a tear or two. Brilliant fictional book about self-discovery.
Most of this story goes in the memories of Joan though the reader is encouraged to make his own discoveries; in fact, throughout the book we understand more about what's in Joan's life than she does. The characters were all interesting and it is easy to sympathize with them in their difficulties. I especially liked Rodney (Joan's husband), I understood him very well.
Joan does discover things about herself, things she has never even thought of. My emotions were very invested in this story and by the ending I had shed a tear or two. Brilliant fictional book about self-discovery.
ascrizzimartina's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sleepydoe's review against another edition
2.0
can't beleive my first full book of the year was so boring and stupid ughhh
like I get what was intended here but it was too much rich, white people drama for me to be impactful. wouldn't really recommend tbh
like I get what was intended here but it was too much rich, white people drama for me to be impactful. wouldn't really recommend tbh
coris's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Rape
leonormsousa's review against another edition
4.0
I found out recently that Agatha Christie had written 6 novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. She did it because she wanted to write something different and to be free of readerly expectations while doing so. Absent in the Spring was one of these novels. Agatha Christie admitted that Absent in the Spring was the only book that satisfied her completely. She wrote it in 3 days flat.
Needless is to say how hight my expectations for this book were. It failed me a little bit though. It was SO different from everything I've read of the author. I'm used to her books having intricate plots where the end is always unexpected. This was the complete opposite. The end wasn't surprising but it also wasn't expected, and it didn't fell in between either (which I know makes no sense but there really aren't better words). However, it was terribly marking and enormously insightful about human nature.
It is also one of those books that grow on you. I finished reading and was thinking that a 3 stars rating was already a pretty good rating for the reading experience I just had. The day after, 3 stars felt rather insufficient and I thought about giving it 3,5. The day after I was settled on 4 stars. Now, I'm already considering more.
Absent in the Spring is overwhelming, is disturbing (not the plot itself but what it makes you feel after finishing it) and makes you feel truly uncomfortable. I recommend it for everyone who is in an introspective mood!
Needless is to say how hight my expectations for this book were. It failed me a little bit though. It was SO different from everything I've read of the author. I'm used to her books having intricate plots where the end is always unexpected. This was the complete opposite. The end wasn't surprising but it also wasn't expected, and it didn't fell in between either (which I know makes no sense but there really aren't better words). However, it was terribly marking and enormously insightful about human nature.
It is also one of those books that grow on you. I finished reading and was thinking that a 3 stars rating was already a pretty good rating for the reading experience I just had. The day after, 3 stars felt rather insufficient and I thought about giving it 3,5. The day after I was settled on 4 stars. Now, I'm already considering more.
Absent in the Spring is overwhelming, is disturbing (not the plot itself but what it makes you feel after finishing it) and makes you feel truly uncomfortable. I recommend it for everyone who is in an introspective mood!