Reviews

Coastliners, by Joanne Harris

erafael2022's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

acolbert72's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

3.0

not one of her best books but i really enjoy the way joanne harris invests in her characters. they really seem to jump off the page at you. lovely little twist at the end and as usual besutiful writing.

lauren_endnotes's review against another edition

4.0

Unlike some of Harris' other books (_Chocolat_, and _Five Quarters of the Orange_) this one was not as food-oriented. I loved that quality in her other books, but I was also happy with her fiction in _Coastliners_. Although this book differed from her others in plot, the setting remained the same: France. In this case, the small island of Le Devin, lying off the coast of mainland France. The island inhabitants and the island scenes themselves were so well-written and easy to imagine.

The story itself was very entertaining. The main character, Mado, returns to her island home after a ten year absense. She finds that some things have changed, but much remains the same; namely the feud/rivalry between the families on the island. Mado wants to help her family and friends to build up their side of the island, but she encounters hostility and many unforeseen obstacles in the process.

In _Coastliners_, Harris constructs a captivating story with interesting plot twists. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

nocto's review against another edition

A tale of a village on an island somewhere off the coast of France that's had me captivated for the last couple of days. I've seen Joanne Harris's books in the shops but not been drawn in by the culinary sounding titles. This place themed book sounded far more like my thing and it was and having read it I'm straight off back to the bookshops to pick up those foody books...

Mado left the island of Le Devin at fifteen with her mother leaving her boat building father behind and they headed for the bright lights of Paris. Ten years later Mado is back to visit and see what has, or hasn't, changed in the meantime. The book is full of rivalries, between the two villages on the island, between families of fishermen, between brothers and sisters and suitors. I love the intricate web that's woven between the people and the places, odd details that turn out to be important, huge secrets that lie hidden just beneath the surface. I thought I knew where this book was going from early on and I was out by a mile, misdirection's a wonderful thing. This was great stuff and I hope Harris's other books are just as secretive and interesting.

spzawada's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

It is about a small town on a secluded island, and how hope and trials can effect the relationships.

julie7's review against another edition

1.0

For some reason, I usually struggle with Joanne Harris, the exception being Blackberry Wine. Sadly, this was the case for Coastliners.
I think it may be the writing style that I find difficult to get to grips with.

burialshroud's review

2.0

The slow slow slow-paced story of a young artist returning to the island on which she grew up. It's very dull and repetitive. Querulous heroine interferes in island residents' business > said heroine has a confrontation with the villain, a local entrepreneur > there is some kind of crisis that unites the islanders. Repeat until bored.

thesassybookworm's review against another edition

3.0

Good Read.

dajaf's review against another edition

3.0

3,5***