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eastanl's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5 stars but rounded down to 3 mostly because the author describes a post-coital moment as "like holding a sated child." I get what you're trying to say but literally any other way would have worked, my dude. Also what do you have against quotation marks?!
xxleshyxx's review against another edition
3.0
So I finally finished this book...it was a long and hard read, especially with no talking marks and no real climax and after 500 pages I get 2 endings how stupid. He didnt need to do that...dont think ill try anymore of his books again
elanaslilbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
ktk8's review against another edition
4.0
War really is a piece of shit. This is a good book. I was absorbed by the story and throughout also had such a sense of the truly insane waste of (mostly young) people's lives through war. Which is what i hear time and time again from my grandparents and their peers. Plus I imagine, anyone who's been affected by war wherever they may be, whatever language they may speak. This story really brings that home as well as being a very interesting read.
readingjag's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. World War One through the eyes of sisters, both nurses, who leave Australia to assist in the war effort. It opened my eyes to a bit of history that I was unfamiliar with.
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/day-579-the-daughters-of-mars/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/day-579-the-daughters-of-mars/
samanthajanecates's review against another edition
3.0
It is 2 in the morning and I finally finished this book that I have been slowly chipping away at for the better part of this week.
My favorite genre is historical fiction, particularly focusing on WW1 and WW2. So, naturally I had high hopes for this book.
Unfortunately, I found The Daughters of Mars to fall flat to books of its same genre, such as The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
In short, the plot was slow moving for so long, and then quick all at once. Keneally spent chapters describing a day or two, and then abruptly would skip to a short paragraph about an event the next season, or in the new year. The pacing was hard to follow.
The lack of quotations compounded my confusion. For a slow and tired reader like me, dialogue needs to be separated and more easily identifiable. I might be able to overlook this if the writing was advanced, but it was average at best.
The Durance sisters have some relatable and redeeming qualities which allowed me to stay engaged enough to finish the book. However, as a bit of a romantic at heart, I highly anticipated a compelling love story in the midst of the war. In reality, both Sally and Naomi's love stories were of little interest to me as they felt forced and devoid of true emotion.
The first part of the book felt like a necessary build to the plot, but in book 2 so many things happened just to happen. One big tragedy occurred in book 1 to help us understand Sally and Naomi a little more, and to force their bond. Book 2 was riddled with tragedy just for the fun of it. No true character development, no plot development. Just drop a bomb and move on.
And then I approached the last chapter and thought I was having a stroke. I was hopeful the ending would cure my ambivalence and finally make me love Keneally's story, but that was SO NOT the case. In all honesty, I could not think of a worse ending. It is way too long of a book to say so very little.
My favorite genre is historical fiction, particularly focusing on WW1 and WW2. So, naturally I had high hopes for this book.
Unfortunately, I found The Daughters of Mars to fall flat to books of its same genre, such as The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
In short, the plot was slow moving for so long, and then quick all at once. Keneally spent chapters describing a day or two, and then abruptly would skip to a short paragraph about an event the next season, or in the new year. The pacing was hard to follow.
The lack of quotations compounded my confusion. For a slow and tired reader like me, dialogue needs to be separated and more easily identifiable. I might be able to overlook this if the writing was advanced, but it was average at best.
The Durance sisters have some relatable and redeeming qualities which allowed me to stay engaged enough to finish the book. However, as a bit of a romantic at heart, I highly anticipated a compelling love story in the midst of the war. In reality, both Sally and Naomi's love stories were of little interest to me as they felt forced and devoid of true emotion.
The first part of the book felt like a necessary build to the plot, but in book 2 so many things happened just to happen. One big tragedy occurred in book 1 to help us understand Sally and Naomi a little more, and to force their bond. Book 2 was riddled with tragedy just for the fun of it. No true character development, no plot development. Just drop a bomb and move on.
And then I approached the last chapter and thought I was having a stroke. I was hopeful the ending would cure my ambivalence and finally make me love Keneally's story, but that was SO NOT the case. In all honesty, I could not think of a worse ending. It is way too long of a book to say so very little.
mmhatton06's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book about sisters who were nurses during ww1. Loved all the characters,major and minor, met during the course of the war in Gallipoli as well as France. Great and poignant read.
dclaw's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book, so engrossing. It is a book where you fall into the story and wish it wouldn't end. I love a story that introduces me to another era, setting, circumstances... this book is just so.