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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
[a:Diane Setterfield|22665|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1255913779p2/22665.jpg] is a clever observer.
When she describes William's mixed feelings of triumph and guilt, pride and shame in the prologue to [b:Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story|17571907|Bellman & Black A Ghost Story|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1384157600s/17571907.jpg|6220983], I knew that I was going to be immersed in his character.
A church congregation singing a final hymn is so well portrayed; the person that sings as loud as possible, the ones who lags behind the melody for half a beat, the person who jumps ahead with no sense of pacing, the low hum of others who don't know the words, all trigger a memory from a long ago hometown church pew.
Following William through his life, there is always a sense of dread. This made for an uneasy read. What are the consequences of a busy all absorbing life?
When she describes William's mixed feelings of triumph and guilt, pride and shame in the prologue to [b:Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story|17571907|Bellman & Black A Ghost Story|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1384157600s/17571907.jpg|6220983], I knew that I was going to be immersed in his character.
A church congregation singing a final hymn is so well portrayed; the person that sings as loud as possible, the ones who lags behind the melody for half a beat, the person who jumps ahead with no sense of pacing, the low hum of others who don't know the words, all trigger a memory from a long ago hometown church pew.
Following William through his life, there is always a sense of dread. This made for an uneasy read. What are the consequences of a busy all absorbing life?
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
I kept expecting it to build a greater sense of unease, of ghostliness, but it never reached the possibilities. Ocht well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
A 2013 staff fiction favorite recommended by Ellen J. and Melissa H. Read Ellen's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/717920343
Check our catalog:
http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbellman%20and%20black%20setterfield__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/717920343
Check our catalog:
http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbellman%20and%20black%20setterfield__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
This is readable - I admire the author's writing style, which is simple but propels you through the story - but I found it rather disappointing, especially the ending. Her first book, The Thirteenth Tale, was better.
I really enjoy Diane Setterfield's writing! She has a power to draw you into her stories. This one is very good, about a man and his life and eventual death. I loved all the bird references, and the rooks in the story. The ending was a bit flat for me, but overall I enjoyed the book. The characters are superb and I enjoy her art of description. This is a thoughtful book, and one that I definitely Recommend.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really boring and really simple. Didn't enjoy this @ all!
I found this exploration of superstition, loss and mental illness fascinating and believable. Told as a ghost story, the way that Bellman responds to the losses around him are all too recognisable within the context of mental illness.
I found this book to be sympathetic and well written. I really liked it.
I found this book to be sympathetic and well written. I really liked it.
If you refer to the book as a ghost story in the title, I expect it to at least be creepy. This was not. It was a good book, but I kept waiting for something that never materialized.