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k_winchester's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
This was overall lovely, interesting, and at many times quite heartbreaking for a variety of reasons.
I was delighted to recognize many of the art terms in here - my art history classes paid off! 😂 I ended up looking up stuff about the siege of Leningrad that I didn't know, and the way Marina's past unfolds in that frame of wartime is incredible and very, very clearly based in real history. (I'm not usually very into historical fiction but this was really great and well done). The way the book flows between Marina struggling in the present with Alzheimer's as well as remembering her past during the war, is lovely and sad.
There were a few especially weird moments/scenes here and there, but I really liked the way the main kinda themes appeared together throughout: art (and the power it cab have to help people cope), war/tragedy, family, the struggle of alzheimer's, hope.
I was delighted to recognize many of the art terms in here - my art history classes paid off! 😂 I ended up looking up stuff about the siege of Leningrad that I didn't know, and the way Marina's past unfolds in that frame of wartime is incredible and very, very clearly based in real history. (I'm not usually very into historical fiction but this was really great and well done). The way the book flows between Marina struggling in the present with Alzheimer's as well as remembering her past during the war, is lovely and sad.
There were a few especially weird moments/scenes here and there, but I really liked the way the main kinda themes appeared together throughout: art (and the power it cab have to help people cope), war/tragedy, family, the struggle of alzheimer's, hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Sexual content
tamara_joy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and War
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Alcohol, and Classism
inkell's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Animal death and Confinement
Minor: Sexual content and Cannibalism
katievh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and War
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts