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irenemarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Outing and Gaslighting
jenniiimillar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia
exaal's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
kirstym25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship
flashandoutbreak's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Infidelity
randisworld's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
miles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia
k8teas's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
spec_tacles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Outing, Grief, and Toxic relationship
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I thought this book poignantly and beautifully captured the love - and lust - men felt for each other as well as the anguish, shame and fear they suffered when they had to hide part of who they were. I appreciated the way it raised questions but didn’t offer easy - or any - answers. For example how could John balance his homosexuality and his desire for it to be generally accepted with what was fair to his family and in their best interests? John’s wife Catherine was such an intriguing character, and her position must have been such a lonely one. Given the prevailing attitudes towards homosexuality who could she possibly talk to? She was sympathetic to John but part of a marriage that was not fulfilling to her. I respected her for drawing her line in the sand and holding firm to it while not taking any punitive action against John.
This story brought a fresh perspective to historical fiction set in the Victorian era. I’m really glad to have read it, even if it left me feeling melancholic.
Graphic: Homophobia