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A review by iamnobird
The Village by Marghanita Laski
4.0
The Village offers an insightful look at life immediately following the end of WWII. It is both delightful and sobering; humorous and thought-provoking. Laski’s straightforward prose is engaging, and I was hooked from the beginning. I expected the novel to be well-written and entertaining, but I was surprised at how relevant and politically charged it was. It is much more than a cozy novel about life in a charming village.
The entire cast of characters – which happens to take up a full four pages at the beginning of the novel – is well-developed and realistic. Laski has a talent for describing individuals and their quirks, traits, and of course their flaws. She manages to imbue each with personality and psychological depth. I felt as if I had known these people for a significant period of time; as if I too, were a member of the village community.
The Village is a fascinating account of a period of great change and transition, that cleverly tackles themes of class, community, and modernity. It is also a sweet love story and an astute character study.
The plot itself may not be flashy or fast-paced, but the characters and quietly powerful social commentary kept me happily turning the pages. I was sad to come to the end, and will be thinking about The Village for some time to come. Having read and loved both this and Little Boy Lost, I am incredibly excited to explore Marghanita Laski’s remaining works. I’m sure I’ll be equally entertained, challenged, and moved by them all.
Full review here: https://dwellinpossibilityblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/persephone-book-review-the-village-by-marghanita-laski/
The entire cast of characters – which happens to take up a full four pages at the beginning of the novel – is well-developed and realistic. Laski has a talent for describing individuals and their quirks, traits, and of course their flaws. She manages to imbue each with personality and psychological depth. I felt as if I had known these people for a significant period of time; as if I too, were a member of the village community.
The Village is a fascinating account of a period of great change and transition, that cleverly tackles themes of class, community, and modernity. It is also a sweet love story and an astute character study.
The plot itself may not be flashy or fast-paced, but the characters and quietly powerful social commentary kept me happily turning the pages. I was sad to come to the end, and will be thinking about The Village for some time to come. Having read and loved both this and Little Boy Lost, I am incredibly excited to explore Marghanita Laski’s remaining works. I’m sure I’ll be equally entertained, challenged, and moved by them all.
Full review here: https://dwellinpossibilityblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/persephone-book-review-the-village-by-marghanita-laski/