Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
NOTE: I did not finish the book, so if that bothers you then feel free to ignore this.
It's been a long time since I picked up a book that disinterested me from page 1. Made it to pg 25, and still haven't given a single fuck about anyone or anything going on here. The writing, though lovely, is distracting at the best of times and downright confusing at the worst. And the absurd number of negative reviews spell out that it's going to get any better.
I'm not giving a rating, or setting a finished by date so it won't count toward my Reading Challenge.
It's been a long time since I picked up a book that disinterested me from page 1. Made it to pg 25, and still haven't given a single fuck about anyone or anything going on here. The writing, though lovely, is distracting at the best of times and downright confusing at the worst. And the absurd number of negative reviews spell out that it's going to get any better.
I'm not giving a rating, or setting a finished by date so it won't count toward my Reading Challenge.
Why did I hang on to the end of Bellman & Black? I haven't a clue, and maybe that's the point. I'm left with questions and no solid ground to stand on: why rooks/ravens? what was choice was Bellman given?
While the writing is lyrical and captivating, the story is not haunting, scary, or ghosty. It's a rather mundane story of a boy who kills a rook and keeps seeing some guy at funerals; one day the guy talks to the boy, but the boy doesn't remember what they discus and carries on with life.
The guy in question is the vaguely mysterious Black: is he supposed to represent the grim reaper? a path to liberation? Too bad there wasn't more of Black in the book; I would have enjoyed further interplay between the hard-working Bellman and the Black guy.
Details of early 1800s textile industry are certainly fascinating, but otherwise this story is lackluster. I read the whole thing anticipating this grand doom and gloom final scene. But the ending? Meh.
While the writing is lyrical and captivating, the story is not haunting, scary, or ghosty. It's a rather mundane story of a boy who kills a rook and keeps seeing some guy at funerals; one day the guy talks to the boy, but the boy doesn't remember what they discus and carries on with life.
The guy in question is the vaguely mysterious Black: is he supposed to represent the grim reaper? a path to liberation? Too bad there wasn't more of Black in the book; I would have enjoyed further interplay between the hard-working Bellman and the Black guy.
Details of early 1800s textile industry are certainly fascinating, but otherwise this story is lackluster. I read the whole thing anticipating this grand doom and gloom final scene. But the ending? Meh.
I don't really know what to say about this one. Truly gorgeous writing, but at the end I was left feeling ... well, not much, to be honest.
BUT. If you read for the sake of beautiful writing, don't let my reaction bother you. Remember how much I like fast-paced trash!
BUT. If you read for the sake of beautiful writing, don't let my reaction bother you. Remember how much I like fast-paced trash!
I so wanted to like this story. I loved Setterfield's first book, [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453], and so I had high expectations for this one. I didn't want it to be just like it, but I hoped it would be similar in that it would have some great twists and turns. Instead I was left waiting for something to happen . . . the whole book. I was sure something was coming, but it never did. That's not to say Setterfield doesn't know how to write. Her descriptions are amazing and I would love to walk into Bellman & Black and see the place. There was also some layers to think through.
Just as a post script, there was one part that confused me. So if any of my friends out there read this one, please tell me if the bargain made in the graveyard is ever explained. I'm not sure what the bargain was. I thought I knew, but the ending muddied the waters.
Just as a post script, there was one part that confused me. So if any of my friends out there read this one, please tell me if the bargain made in the graveyard is ever explained. I'm not sure what the bargain was. I thought I knew, but the ending muddied the waters.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. This is one of those books where you feel vaguely unsettled the entire book and when it is over, you sit there for a minute and think, am I interpreting the ending correctly? Am I interpreting anything correctly? [a:Diane Setterfield|22665|Diane Setterfield|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1255913779p2/22665.jpg]'s sophomore book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat but I'm left with so many questions causing me to wonder if I missed something or if the book is really left open to as much interpretation as I'm doing. It's definitely worth the read, even if it's just to tell me I'm crazy and the ending is clear and I have no clue what I'm talking about.
Well, I totally enjoyed that one, but it was WEIRD. And I don't get that it's subtitled "a ghost story." Did I miss something?
Fantastic writing, if a bit flowery. Slightly underdeveloped characters. Sadly quite boring on the whole, but something kept me reading. Full review to follow.
Set in a 19th century mill town, the beginning of this novel intrigued me. The mill is a textile mill with dyeing fabric at the center of their industry. Dyers of the time carefully guard the secrets of their colors. Reds and blacks are particularly difficult to produce. The protagonist of this story, William Pullman, is the rejected child of his father. An uncle however takes him into the mill and so begins Williams obsession with his work.
From the beginning, rooks are ever present, and always ominous. William becomes preoccupied with the color black. HIs early life and family life are dominated with tragedies but his fortunes change when he makes a bargain with a mysterious figure.
From the beginning, rooks are ever present, and always ominous. William becomes preoccupied with the color black. HIs early life and family life are dominated with tragedies but his fortunes change when he makes a bargain with a mysterious figure.