A review by schopflin
Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is a many-layered book: a mix of fact, historical fiction and mystical fantasy. I found it fairly slow to begin with but it makes sense if you persevere. I am not thoroughly convinced by so many things being tied up in a bow by the end. In a way I think it detracts from the more powerful message

that older women can be preyed upon and simply disappear

. However, I must give the book credit for its ambition and the fact that once past the middle, I wanted to read to the end.