tales_of_1001_books's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
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
3.5
emilybh's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written novel that gives colour and texture to an earlier historical period. I love Harvey's writing, and her ability to see the light and dark in human character, and to explore how this is shaped by circumstance and encounter. The book begins with one event then works backwards, and ends with a sharp twist.
igel_in_berlin's review
I was mesmerised by the first few chapters. They were so poetical, full of symbols and written in a way that I've heard this wind and river in my head... But I couldn't finish. Just more symbols, and more... until you ask yourself "but what's the point? and is there even a point?"
sanrodsara's review against another edition
5.0
Great book written in an unusual form. Kept me on my toes, and cannot think of a better time to read it than in winter!
I would recommend it to: people who like murder mysteries, people interested in medieval Christianity, people who like to explore the barrier between good and evil.
Updated May 2022 to a 5 star (4 star previously)
I would recommend it to: people who like murder mysteries, people interested in medieval Christianity, people who like to explore the barrier between good and evil.
Updated May 2022 to a 5 star (4 star previously)
ajworkman77's review
3.0
Historical fiction/ mystery set in Medieval England. But the mystery is not the main focus. Narrated by the village priest, the pieces of the story start to make sense as you travel back from the present to the time of the disappearance of Tom Newton, a beloved member of the community. Such an interesting read but some of the language pulls you away from the time period and too much is still left ambiguous. I did enjoy the point of view of the priest and the lyrical nature of the writing, and I can’t stop thinking about it. So maybe I liked it more then I thought at first. Would recommend.
maddyb001's review
4.0
This book was so rich in it's character and workdbuilding. Being able to get a peak into the medieval mindset was fascinating.
clmckinney's review
5.0
This is a mystery story set in the 15th century. It is about a man's death in a small town. We see all the people of the town through the main clergy man's eyes, John Reve. It is atmospheric, symbolic, and gloomy. It is about community, faith, and human nature. There are echoes of Damon Galgut here. I absolutely loved this book. The writing is incredible. There are moments of humour, wisdom and humanity that run through out his novel. I will definitely read more of Samantha Harvey.
perpetually_reading's review against another edition
DNF!
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Although the premise of the story is interesting (small town, man drowns under mysterious circumstances, who did it??), the blurb did not (in my opinion) accurately describe the plot. The blurb (at least on Goodreads) makes it sound like the village priest is actively trying to figure out what happened to the murdered man. I've read till about half the book, and so far, it's more about his guilt of over his past and his inability to do anything to help the village in the present. His griping gets a bit tedious after a while, especially if you (like me) picked up this book because you that it was going to be more about the murder. In the end, I had to put this book down - there's too many murder mysteries I want to read that are actually going to be about the murder!
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Although the premise of the story is interesting (small town, man drowns under mysterious circumstances, who did it??), the blurb did not (in my opinion) accurately describe the plot. The blurb (at least on Goodreads) makes it sound like the village priest is actively trying to figure out what happened to the murdered man. I've read till about half the book, and so far, it's more about his guilt of over his past and his inability to do anything to help the village in the present. His griping gets a bit tedious after a while, especially if you (like me) picked up this book because you that it was going to be more about the murder. In the end, I had to put this book down - there's too many murder mysteries I want to read that are actually going to be about the murder!
perpetuallyreading's review against another edition
DNF!
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Although the premise of the story is interesting (small town, man drowns under mysterious circumstances, who did it??), the blurb did not (in my opinion) accurately describe the plot. The blurb (at least on Goodreads) makes it sound like the village priest is actively trying to figure out what happened to the murdered man. I've read till about half the book, and so far, it's more about his guilt of over his past and his inability to do anything to help the village in the present. His griping gets a bit tedious after a while, especially if you (like me) picked up this book because you that it was going to be more about the murder. In the end, I had to put this book down - there's too many murder mysteries I want to read that are actually going to be about the murder!
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Although the premise of the story is interesting (small town, man drowns under mysterious circumstances, who did it??), the blurb did not (in my opinion) accurately describe the plot. The blurb (at least on Goodreads) makes it sound like the village priest is actively trying to figure out what happened to the murdered man. I've read till about half the book, and so far, it's more about his guilt of over his past and his inability to do anything to help the village in the present. His griping gets a bit tedious after a while, especially if you (like me) picked up this book because you that it was going to be more about the murder. In the end, I had to put this book down - there's too many murder mysteries I want to read that are actually going to be about the murder!
limonik's review
2.0
It was such a bore! I had high expectations after reading the blurb. The richest guy (a newcomer) Newman drowns in the river and the local priest is trying to figure out who the murderer is (and whether it is a murder) through a series of confessions. The concept sounded amazing and the story is told in reverse! Obviously, I was beyond excited to read this. However, the book is very slow. The story is told through the priest's POV and he is not a sympathetic character. I thought the priest symbolised the hypocrisy and the dogma whereas Newman was the symbol of modern ages, enlightenment. And the bridge was a bridge between the two worlds and concepts of thinking and believing. Newman drowning in the river where a bridge shall be built is also very symbolic. We get to know the villagers and their superstitions and the village's current state through the confessions. Everything is great apart from the fact that the book is very slow, too atmospheric and Newman's death is explained so abruptly and makes no sense at the end. I think this is an opportunity of a great novel gone missing.
Such a pity...
The best thing about this book was the cover. It is gorgeous!
Such a pity...
The best thing about this book was the cover. It is gorgeous!