You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
A well written story taking you through the streets of London in the nineteenth century. A sometimes dark story with characters that leap from the page and pull you deeper into the story having you routing for them, hoping that their story will be better than you think it may turn out to be.
Great story but most of all... it made me miss London SO MUCH
the way the author described the city, I could picture everything so clearly, could almost even smell it.
the way the author described the city, I could picture everything so clearly, could almost even smell it.
I think I've mentioned I'm not into period pieces (movies mostly), and this book is definitely one. But I found myself really invested in it in the end. It takes place in 1850 in London, and it's full of Dickensian characters. There's an artist (painter) and his friends. There are sisters who toil away in a doll shop, painting the porcelain faces - one is scarred and half-blind from her smallpox battle and the other has a messed-up collarbone from when it broke when she was born. There's the street urchin and his sister who does her work on her back. And there's the curiosity dealer who stuffs dead animals and makes butterfly brooches. And these characters are all loosely connected at first and become moreso as the narrative goes forward.
At first it was hard to get into the story because, period piece, but then I kind of fell in love with the love story between Louis (painter) and Iris (collarbone sister). Felt the relief of Iris and Rose (the other sister) when they talked. Rooted for Albie (urchin) as he hustled to earn money for him and his sister. And I grew terrified of Silas (curiosity dealer). The author did a masterful job of getting into his head and defining his delusions. The third part of the book had me in suspense with every page turn, and I hoped against hope for a good ending.
At first it was hard to get into the story because, period piece, but then I kind of fell in love with the love story between Louis (painter) and Iris (collarbone sister). Felt the relief of Iris and Rose (the other sister) when they talked. Rooted for Albie (urchin) as he hustled to earn money for him and his sister. And I grew terrified of Silas (curiosity dealer). The author did a masterful job of getting into his head and defining his delusions. The third part of the book had me in suspense with every page turn, and I hoped against hope for a good ending.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I already read this quite some time ago that I don't remember the rating I would give it. I'm quite baffled that I didn't have it in my read list, but hey the adaptation with freddy carter? sign me tf up
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced