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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
When William Bellman was a boy he bragged to his friends he could hit a Rook with a slingshot he is successful, though he wished he were not. Years later he has a decent life, despite his paternal grandfather not liking him, because his mother. His uncle gives him a job at the family mill that he eventually run, and he finds love and a family. His past comes back to haunt him and a mysterious man know as Mr. Black comes into his life. Bellman & Black is born an Emporium for mourning needs.
This novel is beautifully written and a very good story, though a bit sad. The descriptions are nice and I could easily picture the setting. Bellman is not likable, but he's interesting and a character to be pitied. He has a good work ethic, but too good. He neglects his family sadly that is what causes the conflict. Dora's character was interesting too and a heartbreaking character. I wish Mr. Black had more of a physical presence in the story.
This novel is beautifully written and a very good story, though a bit sad. The descriptions are nice and I could easily picture the setting. Bellman is not likable, but he's interesting and a character to be pitied. He has a good work ethic, but too good. He neglects his family sadly that is what causes the conflict. Dora's character was interesting too and a heartbreaking character. I wish Mr. Black had more of a physical presence in the story.
A ten year old boy kills a took and years later everyone around him starts to die. When they do rooks circle around as if they are getting their revenge. Donnez moi in break. I couldn't finish this stupid book.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
*This is a re-read for me; I read it first when it came out about 2 years ago.*
William Bellman seems to live a charmed life. He is good at everything he tries his hand at. His uncle finds him a place where he will have a good career making good money; he is lucky in love; he is blessed with many children. If he has a flaw, it is caring too much about his work - but he also loves his family and dotes on them. When tragedy strikes, it shakes him to his core, and after he finally recovers, he throws himself into work more than he ever has before. He imagines he made a deal with a mysterious stranger to open a new business, but now he can't find that stranger anywhere. As he works more and more, he sleeps less and less. He separates from his family. And he becomes desperate for the reappearance of the man he thinks of as his business partner...until one night, Mr. Black does reappear, and Bellman learns things are not at all what he thought they were.
I adore the way Diane Setterfield puts together a story. Laced through with allusions to magic that could also be the machinations of an unhealthy mind; told in parts through the eyes of the rooks that enter the story at every turn; embracing joy and tragedy and madness. On reading this a second time, I liked it even more than I did the first time, when my reading was tainted by wanting it to be like her first book (The Thirteenth Tale). I was able to let go of that this time and appreciate this book for the wonder it is all on its own.
William Bellman seems to live a charmed life. He is good at everything he tries his hand at. His uncle finds him a place where he will have a good career making good money; he is lucky in love; he is blessed with many children. If he has a flaw, it is caring too much about his work - but he also loves his family and dotes on them. When tragedy strikes, it shakes him to his core, and after he finally recovers, he throws himself into work more than he ever has before. He imagines he made a deal with a mysterious stranger to open a new business, but now he can't find that stranger anywhere. As he works more and more, he sleeps less and less. He separates from his family. And he becomes desperate for the reappearance of the man he thinks of as his business partner...until one night, Mr. Black does reappear, and Bellman learns things are not at all what he thought they were.
I adore the way Diane Setterfield puts together a story. Laced through with allusions to magic that could also be the machinations of an unhealthy mind; told in parts through the eyes of the rooks that enter the story at every turn; embracing joy and tragedy and madness. On reading this a second time, I liked it even more than I did the first time, when my reading was tainted by wanting it to be like her first book (The Thirteenth Tale). I was able to let go of that this time and appreciate this book for the wonder it is all on its own.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
sad
slow-paced
dawno nie cieszyłam się tak skończeniem jakiejś książki. mam wrażenie, że można to było zawrzeć w krótkim opowiadaniu na 100 stron - i może wtedy ta historia miałaby większy sens. ciąg przyczynowo-skutkowy nie istnieje, fabuła nie istnieje, ciekawi bohaterowie również. jedyny plus jest taki, że szybko się czyta, ale to zupełnie nie jest warte tego poświęcenia. nie polecam
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes