A review by pjraff
Golden Hill by Francis Spufford

adventurous challenging informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I think you have to stand slightly in awe of the author's descriptive powers to transport the reader to a time and a place. When picking this book it was for the promise alone of a vivid setting; more-so than for plot or character. Happily for me, it was a complete package of all three.  It probably promotes wit at the expense of profundity but I would argue that the profundity is very much there. A "show-offy" virtuoso narration is, paradoxically, deprecating about how wise it all is at its heart. Fantastic.