Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
A very interesting alternative narrative of WW II London centered on 4 main characters dealing with homosexuality, conscientious objectors, suicide, and Christian Science. A quote I enjoyed which sums up part of the story is as follows: "A man ought to be a source of shame to his father. Don't you think? If I ever have a son, I hope he makes my life hell. How, otherwise will there ever be any progress?"
adored this book - from the first page i couldn't put it down; loved the characters and the moving-backwards through time device. this was my first sarah waters book and made me get all the others. moving and gripping at the same time, simply a wonderful read, in a well described setting
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abortion
Moderate: War
I originally started reading this book when it first came out and it didn't grab me so I put it down and it sat in the pile next to my bed for years. The next time I picked it up, I was well and truly captivated! Her books can sometimes be a bit hard to read, usually a lull in the middle that you really have to push through, but the ending is most definitely worth it.
I bought this book in an airport in the midwest and devoured it that same weekend. Not quite as good as Tipping the Velvet, but an absorbing story none the less.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Do not underestimate the power of punctuation! It can distract a reader from the story, the characters, and anything that is worthwhile and good about a novel (or any book, for that matter!) Basically, this book looked like someone pissed commas all over every page and I would like to recommend that Ms. Waters and/or her editor learn a bit more about when to use a semi-colon before they endeavor to produce another book together. I realize I am being somewhat unkind and very hypocritical since I also misuse punctuation myself. But, you see, I am not a published author. No one else is battling nausea when they try to navigate the undulations of my punctuation. At least not yet.
Grammar aside, I still didn't care much for this book (though I did finish it, strangely enough) and here's why:
1. Reverse chronology is usually meant to add intrigue and anticipation to a reader's experience. Here, it simply seemed irritating, detracting, and gimmicky.
2. If a writer focuses on too many "main" characters, they lose the ability to deeply develop any of the characters and the reader feels disconnected and/or indifferent to all of them. Not a good thing, obviously.
3. When you do have a whole bunch of folks to develop, do not waste the page space and ink on elaborate (and boring) descriptions of setting, etc., and sacrifice that Great Motivator to Continue Reading...Dialogue.
I would skip this one if I were you.
Grammar aside, I still didn't care much for this book (though I did finish it, strangely enough) and here's why:
1. Reverse chronology is usually meant to add intrigue and anticipation to a reader's experience. Here, it simply seemed irritating, detracting, and gimmicky.
2. If a writer focuses on too many "main" characters, they lose the ability to deeply develop any of the characters and the reader feels disconnected and/or indifferent to all of them. Not a good thing, obviously.
3. When you do have a whole bunch of folks to develop, do not waste the page space and ink on elaborate (and boring) descriptions of setting, etc., and sacrifice that Great Motivator to Continue Reading...Dialogue.
I would skip this one if I were you.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated