A review by seamoonstone
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I came to this book after watching the film, so I was hoping for something a little more eerie and immersive. The book added more context to early nursing, but not enough to fully explore the religious tensions and the lingering effects of the famine, politically and psychologically (both were mentioned but not depicted in any nuanced way). The character of Lib was also frustratingly obtuse and cynical, and it was hard to imagine someone who is trained and then hired to observe being so oblivious to events around her. I think the book would have been stronger and more engaging if it were less focused on Lib's POV (her reveals didn't offer much insight) and more from Anna's, or another Irish character's (preferably Kitty, who deserved better).
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