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breezy2012 's review for:
The Clockmaker's Daughter
by Kate Morton
I bought this book when it first came out, and then haven’t picked it up until now, because sometimes I unnecessarily procrastinate about silly things. When I first started the book, it was like connecting with an old friend, as Kate Morton’s writing style, and the words she chooses to weave her tales are mesmerizing and lyrical. It was a bit of a slow start, but then I started to get more intrigued by the characters and the story.
But then it started to drag on and on, bouncing between too many different timelines, too many different characters, and I started to get antsy and bored. I pushed through and finished it, but we limped across the finish line, and, the ending was horrific and sad! There was so much tragedy in the book, no real justice, and it left too many unanswered questions. The title in itself feels like a misnomer, as the fact that her father made clocks has no impact on the story - it has no tie in after her father leaves, and it doesn’t impact the character basically at all. The dad’s occupation could be changed to any field, and it would have the same effect on the story. This could’ve been called the Baker’s daughter, and it could’ve taken the same trajectory.
I really don’t like discouraging endings, and the way that the main/secondary heroine (it was hard to tell who was supposed to be the main character of the story) died was really depressing. Especially since her life seemed to be full of tragedy, and difficult situations, and then she went out in such a stupid, frustrating, and terrifying way! I find Morton’s books often has a tinge of sadness, but this one just felt depressing. Why tell me a story over 500 pages (which is way too bloody long - I agree with every review that said if could be at least 100 pages shorter) just to have it end on such a bummer note? And with too many characters, I didn’t know who I was supposed to care about, and in the end, I didn’t care about any of them. She could’ve cut out at least three of the secondary characters, and it still would’ve been a cohesive story. I don’t recommend this book, and I will donate it to a library or second hand store, as I don’t want a subject anyone I know to this sad and frustrating story.
But then it started to drag on and on, bouncing between too many different timelines, too many different characters, and I started to get antsy and bored. I pushed through and finished it, but we limped across the finish line, and, the ending was horrific and sad! There was so much tragedy in the book, no real justice, and it left too many unanswered questions. The title in itself feels like a misnomer, as the fact that her father made clocks has no impact on the story - it has no tie in after her father leaves, and it doesn’t impact the character basically at all. The dad’s occupation could be changed to any field, and it would have the same effect on the story. This could’ve been called the Baker’s daughter, and it could’ve taken the same trajectory.
I really don’t like discouraging endings, and the way that the main/secondary heroine (it was hard to tell who was supposed to be the main character of the story) died was really depressing. Especially since her life seemed to be full of tragedy, and difficult situations, and then she went out in such a stupid, frustrating, and terrifying way! I find Morton’s books often has a tinge of sadness, but this one just felt depressing. Why tell me a story over 500 pages (which is way too bloody long - I agree with every review that said if could be at least 100 pages shorter) just to have it end on such a bummer note? And with too many characters, I didn’t know who I was supposed to care about, and in the end, I didn’t care about any of them. She could’ve cut out at least three of the secondary characters, and it still would’ve been a cohesive story. I don’t recommend this book, and I will donate it to a library or second hand store, as I don’t want a subject anyone I know to this sad and frustrating story.