Scan barcode
A review by christinecc
Troy Chimneys by Anita Brookner, Margaret Kennedy
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Miles and Pronto, two regency men in a single mind. Miles is the dreamer who wishes to retire in the country, if only Pronto the ambitious and socially adept MP would hurry up and get his affairs in order.
I fell in love with this book. Its frame narrative of a Victorian relative reading Miles's biography and letters, Miles's perfectly calibrated regency voice and idealism colored with cynicism. He's an eternal dreamer with no real hope for his dream and oodles of self-hatred for his own flaws.
You know, I think that a certain lady in this novel is right. Miles has never been superior to Pronto. And there is likely no third person occupying the protagonist's mind. There is only a burgeoning realization that, perhaps, Miles has misjudged Pronto. Both personas are flawed. I only wish we could hear from Pronto's side. It's hard to judge without more knowledge of what Miles finds so horrible about him.
Recommended if you like historical fiction (whether set in the regency period or at some other time) with intricate psychological portraits and the perfect dose of subjectivity.
I fell in love with this book. Its frame narrative of a Victorian relative reading Miles's biography and letters, Miles's perfectly calibrated regency voice and idealism colored with cynicism. He's an eternal dreamer with no real hope for his dream and oodles of self-hatred for his own flaws.
You know, I think that a certain lady in this novel is right. Miles has never been superior to Pronto. And there is likely no third person occupying the protagonist's mind. There is only a burgeoning realization that, perhaps, Miles has misjudged Pronto. Both personas are flawed. I only wish we could hear from Pronto's side. It's hard to judge without more knowledge of what Miles finds so horrible about him.
Recommended if you like historical fiction (whether set in the regency period or at some other time) with intricate psychological portraits and the perfect dose of subjectivity.