12grace4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilcoppertop's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
docpacey's review against another edition
2.0
Thoroughly unlikable and unsympathetic characters fail to carry what could have been a poignant story. The combination of the jazz age and the fall of paris creates an environment ripe for a hot blooded story of betrayal during wartime, but at no time did i ever sympathize with a single one of the characters. it left me flat.
msvenner's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting slice of history in a time about which much has been written. However, I wanted to like this more than I did. The characters were rich and the setting was interesting but it felt like there wasn't enough story. I found myself skimming over big tracks of it. Granted, the slang was at times difficult and the story involved long periods of the characters in hiding but I still felt that is was simply not enough to sustain a whole novel. I Lowe it but would have enjoyed it better as a novella.
stella45's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
annafouracres's review against another edition
2.0
I thought the book sounded really interesting. I read a third of it but it just didn’t engage me.
sonia_reppe's review
2.0
This started out with a compelling atmosphere. I was disappointed then when it jumped into the future and out of the excitement; then it went back even before the time of the first chapter. I don't like when a book does this; but what bothered me more is that at times there is too much dialogue. What I mean is that there are such good descriptive sections; I wish there were more of these. For instance, there is a really good description of Hiero--and his trumpet playing--but it was halfway through the book. He is a character from the beginning, yet I didn't get a good picture of him until halfway. Bottom line is I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.
kerrywyler's review
5.0
A beautifully written, poignant story. A story of friendship and betrayal, and the burden of life-long regrets. So beautifully written - the jazz vernacular alone, and Sid's descriptions of how it felt when they were playing, make this book worthy of accolades. A stunning, very human story. Highly recommend.