dorisxdw's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook for this one and loved it! Katie McGrath narrating it was the reason why I picked it up in the first place.
The book has beautiful writing and I really enjoyed the storylines with Jane, Julietta, Emmeline and Clorinda. I don’t really know what to make of the Borneo storyline, to me it just didn’t really add anything to the book even if there was a connection to the other at the end (but I also couldn’t care less about Valentine Ross).
The book has beautiful writing and I really enjoyed the storylines with Jane, Julietta, Emmeline and Clorinda. I don’t really know what to make of the Borneo storyline, to me it just didn’t really add anything to the book even if there was a connection to the other at the end (but I also couldn’t care less about Valentine Ross).
althea's review against another edition
2.0
Historical fiction is my joint third most read genre this year, and I’ve been particularly enjoying reading sapphic historical fiction, so when I saw this on Netgalley I was so excited to read it! Sadly, however, I just didn’t click with it and eventually DNFed it. The writing style is so reminiscent of a 19th century novel and often felt like I was being read to. The book is told in third person perspectives by some omnipresent narrator that switched between characters and places halfway through a chapter with no warning, and as such I just couldn’t connect to the story at all. Theresa also mentions in her review that the topic of miscarriage is handled very poorly and extremely insensitively and I completely agree. This really just wasn’t for me but if you are a real fan of historical fiction, maybe give it a shot!
richardpierce's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is a wonderful book, wonderfully written, and with the ending it deserves. As always, my reaction is visceral and comes from the emotions the writing and its narrative evoke in me. The sort of book you need during these never-ending storms, the sort of book that speaks of the reality and hardness of living, and of the goodness to be found there.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very well written book that i just failed to fall in love with and I am not altogether sure why. The author creates settings that are so wildly different and manages to bring them all into full technicolour but she populates each of these settings with deeply flawed characters. Here we have a doctor so upset by a refusal to his proposal of marriage who, when it does come to pass becomes a positive tartar, typical he-man behaviour that just doesn't fit with his initial drawing. His intended has her own secrets and lies but goes against all her will to fit herself into an intended mould - not something I thought she needed to do even in the era it is set. It is positively brimming with LGBT characterisation but all of them almost completely unlikeable. Despite all this there is something about the narrative which keeps you reading and at least one completely realistic characterisation in that of Clarinda - not perfect and knowing it. I found the ending of some characters lines completely unsatisfying.
I though I had read more by this author but apparently not yet I am tempted to read more by her even though this was not as satisfying as it could be
I do wish we could rate with halves as this would be a 3.5 for me
I though I had read more by this author but apparently not yet I am tempted to read more by her even though this was not as satisfying as it could be
I do wish we could rate with halves as this would be a 3.5 for me
alexandracowie's review against another edition
3.0
Absolutely only bought this because the audiobook is narrated by Katie McGrath. A nice story, if a bit too long, drags at times but overall enjoyable!
gotsome_bookmuscle's review against another edition
4.0
finally finished this :(( i feel like this story is all about choices we make in life from clorinda to jane to valentine ross to leon it was a slow start but rose tremain’s writing combined with katie mcgrath’s soothing voice is just chef’s kiss
saraaaa's review
At almost 70% of the book, I still couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters, or any of the (too many) storylines.
It took me a year to reach 8 hours in the the audiobook, and I really don't think it's worth the other 4.
It took me a year to reach 8 hours in the the audiobook, and I really don't think it's worth the other 4.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
steph_84's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up. A thrilling book that I just stayed up past midnight reading. I loved the vibrant characters and vivid images of Bath, Dublin, Borneo and County Clare. Some characters evolved in a way that wasn’t quite believable, or made decisions that stretched plausibility, but perhaps that was part of the purpose of the book - different understandings of what really makes and drives a person.
suffering_sappho's review against another edition
1.0
For the love of all things holy, please do not read this book.
Where to start? The negative stereotypes surrounding bisexual women? The glorifying of a colonizer? The domestic abuse?
I listened to the audiobook because of a childhood crush on Katie McGrath. While her performance is amazing, it is not enough to compensate for the actual garbage fire that is the book itself.
Do not give this old white woman money. Please do literally anything else with your time.
Where to start? The negative stereotypes surrounding bisexual women? The glorifying of a colonizer? The domestic abuse?
I listened to the audiobook because of a childhood crush on Katie McGrath. While her performance is amazing, it is not enough to compensate for the actual garbage fire that is the book itself.
Do not give this old white woman money. Please do literally anything else with your time.