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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
Mildly magical and very, very subtle. Maybe a little too mild and subtle to support the perfect plot/pace but an enjoyable read if you have the patience to get through something more like an epic poem than a novel. I liked it.
It's really hard for me to rate this book. Almost the entire time I was reading it, I wanted it to be over. At times it was impossibly dull, and deeply uncomfortable; the main character is written in such a way that it's hard to feel anything at all for him. But I think that was deliberate - because he spends so much of the book not feeling anything for himself. If this is a ghost story, it's because William Bellman becomes a ghost of sorts, separated entirely from the world and his own emotions.
This is a book that makes you think long and hard about your own mortality. Be prepared for that, especially if it's a subject that already troubles you sometimes.
I do have to say, though, for all the time I spent wishing this rather odd book would end already, by the time I finally turned the last page, I discovered that I'd enjoyed it more than I thought.
I will also say that the writing flows beautifully. The author has a way with words that sucks you in, even when you should be bored to tears with what you're reading.
3 stars for now, which I may reevaluate after I've had time to process.
And on a side note - the cover of this book is absolutely stunning. It's what made me pick it up in the first place. And it's all the more gorgeous after you've finished the book. I don't normally pay too much attention to book covers, but this one definitely deserves some kudos.
This is a book that makes you think long and hard about your own mortality. Be prepared for that, especially if it's a subject that already troubles you sometimes.
I do have to say, though, for all the time I spent wishing this rather odd book would end already, by the time I finally turned the last page, I discovered that I'd enjoyed it more than I thought.
I will also say that the writing flows beautifully. The author has a way with words that sucks you in, even when you should be bored to tears with what you're reading.
3 stars for now, which I may reevaluate after I've had time to process.
And on a side note - the cover of this book is absolutely stunning. It's what made me pick it up in the first place. And it's all the more gorgeous after you've finished the book. I don't normally pay too much attention to book covers, but this one definitely deserves some kudos.
First impression of Bellman and Black? Slow start - its not until 100+ pages into this book that things start to get interesting, not the sort of ghostly interesting I expected, interesting nonetheless though.
Does the rest of the book of deliver? Almost. The feel of the book is of a middle aged man drawn irresistibly towards death. The conclusions however are too broad and vague to really satisfy, nor is the book quite stylish enough to carry the novel without some strong content.
Does the rest of the book of deliver? Almost. The feel of the book is of a middle aged man drawn irresistibly towards death. The conclusions however are too broad and vague to really satisfy, nor is the book quite stylish enough to carry the novel without some strong content.
mysterious
medium-paced
I love The Thirteenth Tale and had been waiting for Diane Setterfield to write another novel. Unfortunately, Bellman & Black was a disappointment. Although it was well written, the story and the characters did not captivate me.
2.5 stars: dull, slow and disappointing...especially in light of how much I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I received an advance copy this book in a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
Dora glitters, serenely exultant. It is what a rooking escapade does to a human. She looks as if she has gathered all the glory of the world into herself. To see it once is never to be without the feeling for the rest of your life.
I honestly did not have high hopes for Bellman & Black. Like The Thirteenth Tale, there were things that I liked and did not like about the story. But overall, I enjoyed it more than The Thirteenth Tale, perhaps because it is not all extremely sad.
The story starts with Will Bellman killing a rook with a slingshot, an act that he did not realize would have profound impact on his life. Then it skips to when he is grown and starts working at his uncle's mill. He is a carefree and genuinely happy guy, the kind that everyone likes. He meets a woman that he falls in love with, has beautiful children that he loves, and it seems like everything in his life is perfect. Then, things start going wrong... and the mysterious Black starts randomly appearing.
Bellman can't shake Black and begins to live his life as a busy workaholic so that he does not have to remember and grieve his misfortune. He becomes a boring and sad character. In the end, it seems that he had no redemption, except possibly through his daughter, Dora.
Dora in herself is a very interesting character. I enjoyed reading her parts and would have really enjoyed the story if there had been more development for her. The part of the book where Bellman is developing and building Bellman & Black is rather boring and almost made me give up reading. I continued on solely because the chapters are short and the read is actually rather quick. I'm glad that I didn't give up.
This story is rich in symbolism and irony, and there are cut-in chapters from the view of the rook. They connected nicely and didn't seem forced. The ending, especially, had a magical quality that left you wondering what really happened to Bellman, who Black really was, and what would happen to Dora. But it was filled with hope for Dora and for the rooks. I'm a sucker for endings that seep with symbolism.
Maybe that makes me a nerd, but I really enjoyed this book, mostly for its extremely gothic undertones and symbolism. I would recommend it to people who are also suckers for books soaked in literary irony.
Read more reviews at Great Minds Read Alike
Dora glitters, serenely exultant. It is what a rooking escapade does to a human. She looks as if she has gathered all the glory of the world into herself. To see it once is never to be without the feeling for the rest of your life.
I honestly did not have high hopes for Bellman & Black. Like The Thirteenth Tale, there were things that I liked and did not like about the story. But overall, I enjoyed it more than The Thirteenth Tale, perhaps because it is not all extremely sad.
The story starts with Will Bellman killing a rook with a slingshot, an act that he did not realize would have profound impact on his life. Then it skips to when he is grown and starts working at his uncle's mill. He is a carefree and genuinely happy guy, the kind that everyone likes. He meets a woman that he falls in love with, has beautiful children that he loves, and it seems like everything in his life is perfect. Then, things start going wrong... and the mysterious Black starts randomly appearing.
Bellman can't shake Black and begins to live his life as a busy workaholic so that he does not have to remember and grieve his misfortune. He becomes a boring and sad character. In the end, it seems that he had no redemption, except possibly through his daughter, Dora.
Dora in herself is a very interesting character. I enjoyed reading her parts and would have really enjoyed the story if there had been more development for her. The part of the book where Bellman is developing and building Bellman & Black is rather boring and almost made me give up reading. I continued on solely because the chapters are short and the read is actually rather quick. I'm glad that I didn't give up.
This story is rich in symbolism and irony, and there are cut-in chapters from the view of the rook. They connected nicely and didn't seem forced. The ending, especially, had a magical quality that left you wondering what really happened to Bellman, who Black really was, and what would happen to Dora. But it was filled with hope for Dora and for the rooks. I'm a sucker for endings that seep with symbolism.
Maybe that makes me a nerd, but I really enjoyed this book, mostly for its extremely gothic undertones and symbolism. I would recommend it to people who are also suckers for books soaked in literary irony.
Read more reviews at Great Minds Read Alike
oh, man. those who know me know i really didn't like [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453]. to me it felt like one giant missed opportunity. but i thought setterfield had promise and that maybe her next book would be better...it wasn't. and i found myself grouchy all over again, reminded of the things about the thirteenth tale that irritated, and are now repeated in bellman & black.
we have a juicy premise, hints of mystery and intrigue and interesting characters. yet they just never develop well and i am left feeling, again, like this book is another bit of unfulfilled potential that could have been so much more. setterfield's style of writing just doesn't work for me and the book left me very disappointed. i feel like setterfield is a bit of a manipulative writer and i felt, too much, the effort of writing coming through while i was reading. (if that makes any sense? i don't know how to explain it other than i was constantly aware of/distracted by the writing, rather than captivated by the story.)
i was definitely in the minority with my dislike of the thirteenth tale, and given the reviews i just read for this new book, i suspect i will be another lone dissenting voice...but that's okay. not every book is for every reader. but i can confidently say that i now know setterfield is just not an author for me.
we have a juicy premise, hints of mystery and intrigue and interesting characters. yet they just never develop well and i am left feeling, again, like this book is another bit of unfulfilled potential that could have been so much more. setterfield's style of writing just doesn't work for me and the book left me very disappointed. i feel like setterfield is a bit of a manipulative writer and i felt, too much, the effort of writing coming through while i was reading. (if that makes any sense? i don't know how to explain it other than i was constantly aware of/distracted by the writing, rather than captivated by the story.)
Spoiler
i was also not a fan of the lapse of time from the opening incident of the killing of the rook...to the beginning of the rest of the novel. the spate of deaths got to the point of ridiculousness as well, even given an epidemic took place and resulted in william losing his wife and 3 of his 4 children - and nearly losing the 4th. and dora, the remaining child, was an interesting character and there was so much potential with her.i was definitely in the minority with my dislike of the thirteenth tale, and given the reviews i just read for this new book, i suspect i will be another lone dissenting voice...but that's okay. not every book is for every reader. but i can confidently say that i now know setterfield is just not an author for me.