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A review by geektastically
The Great Mistake by Jonathan Lee
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This would normally not have been a book I would have picked up had it not been for my library's book club. I like to jump into the books without looking into what they're about or anything and just experience them.
My usual complaint about historical fiction is the balancing act of what's real and what's embellished from the author can make me stop and start googling rather than enjoying the story. The structure of this story caught my interest from the first chapter. Andrew Haswell Green became a real person that could have walked across the street from me as I read the rest of this story. But the author also makes other characters in the story feel just as acce sible. While it may not be their "real" stories or experiences, I don't think that's the point of reading a book like this. You start to look at non-fiction history in a different light considering what could be behind these people that we memorize facts and dates about.
The emotions and memories of Andrew's life and jumping back and forth between the events of his death and the life that made him the man that he was were my favorite dynamics of the book. The relationship between himself and his family, Mrs.Bray and Samuel is something I think most people can find a way to relate to.
The writing was succinct with a sense of irony and a smirk behind it. It didn't labor on details endlessly and was a fast read.
My usual complaint about historical fiction is the balancing act of what's real and what's embellished from the author can make me stop and start googling rather than enjoying the story. The structure of this story caught my interest from the first chapter. Andrew Haswell Green became a real person that could have walked across the street from me as I read the rest of this story. But the author also makes other characters in the story feel just as acce sible. While it may not be their "real" stories or experiences, I don't think that's the point of reading a book like this. You start to look at non-fiction history in a different light considering what could be behind these people that we memorize facts and dates about.
The emotions and memories of Andrew's life and jumping back and forth between the events of his death and the life that made him the man that he was were my favorite dynamics of the book. The relationship between himself and his family, Mrs.Bray and Samuel is something I think most people can find a way to relate to.
The writing was succinct with a sense of irony and a smirk behind it. It didn't labor on details endlessly and was a fast read.