Scan barcode
featherinthewind's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was just eh. I really wanted to get into it, and I thought I was at first, but this book just kept droning on. It’s well written, I’m not trying to take that away, but it’s just not for me I guess. Maybe I’m too young to understand a lot of what this book is discussing, but it was in no way shape or form entertaining which is what I look for in a book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
kryskross's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and War
jencolumb0's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I had the luck of reading Room With a View just before happening to pick this one up and I am so thrilled that I did. It made Winman’s play off EM Forester that much more delightful (and made the time I spent with his incredibly unlikeable characters quite worthwhile). Even if you’ve read Room with a View, it’s worth re-reading before you pick this one up, just to get the full breadth of the conversation Winman is having.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
That conversation and the (obviously well-researched) bits about Florentine artists, particularly female artists, as well as the over-arching conversation of how women must and chose to live their lives around men in a patriarchy (cleverly woven into the story) were heady contrasts to the relatively mundane passage of time memorialized in the book.
I, too, adore Florence. Like many of the characters in the book, I went when I was young, the city promptly imprinted itself onto my heart, and I have returned at every opportunity since, peeling back layers to reveal new aspects of my freedom each time. You would think that I would adore this book, too. And I did. For the first 250 pages or so.
Then, the action in the book just kind of petered out: the characters continued to bounce between the pub in London and the pensione in Florence, learning very little new about themselves and nothing surprising happened to them in fact. I am still not entirely sure why we all had to hang onto getting through through the 70s to achieve the ends of the book. Perhaps, on the heels of a Rachel Joyce book, I was ready to read something with a bit more action. Nonetheless, a lovely read that should be a priority for anyone heading to Florence or whose heart belongs there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Car accident, and Abortion
frankieclc's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
sophie42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
julied's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed spending time in Florence with these characters. There were a few things with the writing I wish were not there but generally I really loved this story. I give a book five stars if it is something I want to keep forever, a book I can see myself rereading one day. This was definitely a group of people I will revisit. I laughed. I cried. I learned a few things. If someone were to ask me if they should read this I would tell them all of that but warn them that there is an open door scene between two people who are fairly young teens. I don't usually mind an open door or two if it adds something to the story and the participants are adults. I can see where someone might not enjoy some of the fantastical elements. I actually did which is not typical of my taste. They are few and far between and the silly helped break up the sad a little. I found this story really sweet and it helped me appreciate my own still life more than I otherwise would have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
mandkips's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Murder
asourceoffiction's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a book about the passing of time, and the connections we make and lose along the way. But it's so brilliantly wistful and so utterly brimming with beauty, that it just pulls you in and holds onto you.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
It did take me a little while to run with the style (which is a bit quirky but totally suits the story), but once I got into it I was completely invested. And the characters; my god they're the most amazing, beautiful, ridiculous bunch and they made the whole book. I particularly loved some of the more unlikely touches, like a parrot randomly reciting Shakespeare, or the brilliantly funny connection between Col's string of girlfriends.
I loved the small, intimate moments as much as I did the grand, sweeping landscapes and stunning descriptions. The story has sadness in abundance, but it has so much joy and wonder that it just made me happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship
ye_li's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
ajone540's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment