Reviews

They Knew Mr. Knight by Dorothy Whipple

renardthefox's review

emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

siguirimama's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

albertsbookshelf's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

The early chapters, a bit dull, but once I got more deeply into the machinations of Mr. Knight, it was much more interesting. The dangers of male megalomania are strongly featured. My reading pace increased the last 150 pages, and I came up with an alternative title: SHE KNEW SHE WAS RIGHT ABOUT MR. KNIGHT. Like when Celia Blake realizes that her husband Thomas falls under the influence of Lawrence Knight's financial schemes, and (Oops--can't say any more). It's a pretty good read. If you like Victorian novels, Whipple channels Trollope and Charlotte Yonge (maybe?) quite nicely. There are a few pious moments near the end, which seemed out of place, but I would read Whipple again.

2janie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

bookbuyingaddict's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

andrew61's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

When Tom Blake goes to the railway station as usual on his way to work, he prevents another man from falling, the eponymous Mr. Knight. Knight is a well-known businessman who arrives driven at the station in his rolls Royce to admiring and envious stares. Tom works in the steel factory previously owned by his family, discontented he lives a modest life with his wife Celia and 3 growing children. 
What follows is a morality tale as knight bestows his largesse on Tom so that Tom and his family rapidly rise in social circles and riches. The eventual fall is dramatic and as much a page turner as a thriller.
Dorothy Whipple draws characters and family/social situations with great skill, so the interaction of husband and wife, relationships between parents and children are compelling, and the preoccupations of teenagers and parents echo through the generations. 
Great fun and a good read.

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/day-859-they-knew-mr-knight/