themoonphoenix's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
coookiecat's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Injury/injury detail, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Animal death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Ableism, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Child death, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Grief, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Gore, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault
forsan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Part historical fiction, part mystery, with a bit of magical realism. A young girl with blue-green-grey eyes washes up from the Thames and is dead but then comes back to life. She is claimed by three separate families, each of whom has lost a child to the river, and trying to unfold the unspeaking girl's history proves more complicated and darker than expected.
This novel is at its core a celebration of storytelling. I really liked the cast of characters, and I was impressed by how well the ending came together. The way that characters were introduced early and half forgotten about, only to have truly everything come back together, was really impressive.
This novel is at its core a celebration of storytelling. I really liked the cast of characters, and I was impressed by how well the ending came together. The way that characters were introduced early and half forgotten about, only to have truly everything come back together, was really impressive.
racheljoy7's review against another edition
5.0
"They were collectors of words the same way so many of the gravel diggers were collectors of fossils. They kept an ear constantly alert for them, the rare, the unusual, the unique." ~page 31
This quote is from a lovely scene at the beginning of this book describing the regulars of The Swan, an inn along the Thames River where the customers specialize in the art of storytelling.
Setterfield is one of those rare authors who is a true wordsmith. She will take your hand and lead you into her glorious imagination as she weaves the most intricate and enthralling tale for you.
I simply love this author!
This quote is from a lovely scene at the beginning of this book describing the regulars of The Swan, an inn along the Thames River where the customers specialize in the art of storytelling.
Setterfield is one of those rare authors who is a true wordsmith. She will take your hand and lead you into her glorious imagination as she weaves the most intricate and enthralling tale for you.
I simply love this author!
erincharp's review against another edition
5.0
Diane Setterfield's writing is just so, so lovely. It's the kind of prose that makes you feel her words in your heart.
On a cold night in an ancient inn along the Thames River, a man stumbles in badly injured carrying what is at first thought to be a doll in his arm. In time, it is revealed that the doll is the body of a young girl, one who comes back to life against all odds. Drawn together now are families missing children. One, who lost their daughter when she was two, presumably through kidnapping. The return of their beloved Amelia brings a spark back to their lives that they thought would never be seen again. Yet, there is also the Armstrong family, who swears she must be theirs, as well as a woman who works for the parsonage who believes this girl to be her sister who drowned so many decades ago. They all feel that this child can't quite be theirs, but yet, they also all insist she is. Setterfield weaves a beautiful, supernatural story about want and need and healing. I was hooked from page one.
On a cold night in an ancient inn along the Thames River, a man stumbles in badly injured carrying what is at first thought to be a doll in his arm. In time, it is revealed that the doll is the body of a young girl, one who comes back to life against all odds. Drawn together now are families missing children. One, who lost their daughter when she was two, presumably through kidnapping. The return of their beloved Amelia brings a spark back to their lives that they thought would never be seen again. Yet, there is also the Armstrong family, who swears she must be theirs, as well as a woman who works for the parsonage who believes this girl to be her sister who drowned so many decades ago. They all feel that this child can't quite be theirs, but yet, they also all insist she is. Setterfield weaves a beautiful, supernatural story about want and need and healing. I was hooked from page one.
ekeeller's review against another edition
2.0
Don’t know what to think about this one. After seeing so many 5⭐️ reviews I thought I would love it but I was really disappointed.
The blurb had me so intrigued and I thought this would be a new favourite however, 1 chapter in and already I was thinking maybe not. The kind of vibe and atmosphere I was looking forward to was not there and seeing this in the fantasy genre gave me an idea about this book that wasn’t true.
The most frustrating part to me was how long this book was. 500 pages and it could have been 300. Just so much rambling about characters that weren’t developed enough for me to care about. I didn’t like any character or even have an empathy for them. Feel the odd one out on this one.
The blurb had me so intrigued and I thought this would be a new favourite however, 1 chapter in and already I was thinking maybe not. The kind of vibe and atmosphere I was looking forward to was not there and seeing this in the fantasy genre gave me an idea about this book that wasn’t true.
The most frustrating part to me was how long this book was. 500 pages and it could have been 300. Just so much rambling about characters that weren’t developed enough for me to care about. I didn’t like any character or even have an empathy for them. Feel the odd one out on this one.
rodrigu2's review against another edition
4.0
I only rated it four stars at the rule, but a year later I’m still thinking about this book. I just loved the writing style.