Reviews

Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit

Only show reviews with written explanations

contentlykelsey's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This covers a time period we don’t usually see much - 10 years after the founding of Plymouth in Massachusetts Bay Colony. I liked that, and the fact that we get to hear multiple women’s voices. Also, I’ve been fascinated by the existence of the “strangers” like the Billingtons since I first learned about them (another piece of the puzzle that isn’t usually mentioned in the typical Pilgrim / Thansgiving narrative). This book occasionally gets a little bogged down, but the constantly changing narrative voices usually helps to move things along.

ohthesefaces's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ldad's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

headingnorth's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 This book felt a lot shorter than it is. I liked that it switches perspective between some of the more elite Puritan inhabitants of Plymouth and some former indentured servants who are still looked down upon and treated unfairly. In Alice Bradford's opinion, the Billingtons are trouble and can't be trusted; in the opinion of Eleanor and John Billington, the Bradfords and others like them are dishonest hypocrites who mistreat those they find inferior, from the Billingtons to their Indian neighbors.

Questions arose about the death of William Bradford's first wife, formerly a dear friend of Alice. During much of the novel, Alice spends time thinking about Dorothy: their friendship, Dorothy's marriage to William, and of course her death. We even get some chapters from Dorothy's perspective.

At the heart of the novel is a crime, one which is forewarned numerous (I might say too many) times in the first part of the book. I wonder if we are meant to feel conflicted about this crime, as it further highlights the factions in the community, but I did not feel conflicted.

All in all, a fairly light novel - serious themes, but a quick and easy read.