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A review by lostinthelibrary
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow! Hamnet was a tough act to follow but Maggie O'Farrel has done it again! I love the idea of taking a pre-gothic tale and giving it a gothic style. I was hooked throughout by the tense atmosphere and the beautiful prose. It put me in a constant pull between wanting to speed through to the end and wanting to take it slowly to reflect on the themes and savour the writing. I am rarely a re-reader but I feel this book may warrant it. Time to read more of her back catalogue as this has cemented Maggie O'Farrel as one of my favourite authors.
Graphic: Rape, Medical trauma, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity