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lauralikesbooks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
aminasbookshelf's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
msliz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
yeahdeadslow's review
5.0
(Intial review written 1/7/13) I didn't know this was coming out, so the moment I found out I just sat in shock audibly saying, "What... what... what." Etc.
Now that I'm past the shock, I'm SO EXCITED.
I think The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp is the ever-elusive Dragonfly Summer published under a new title!
!!!
!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't see a pre-order option on amazon yet, and I don't want to spend more than I have to on the UK amazon. (I literally just bought something there five minutes ago.) But I will if I have to, because I've worshiped Eva Rice ever since I read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets! (Or as close to worship as is healthy....)
__________________________________
(Review written post-reading, 10/1/13)
It's so hard for me to judge this book objectively. (But why must I be objective, really?) Of course The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp doesn't reach near that cherished spot in my heart where The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets lives. I feel ridiculous that I feel the need to say that, but if you're reviewing a sort-of sequel to one of your favourite books, these things just come up. Still, I loved this.
Firstly, it was all I could do not to squeal loudly every time there was mention (or in some cases appearances!) of Harry, Penelope, and Charlotte. Those are three of my dearest friends, you see.
And as for Inigo, it was so strange to see that charming young boy all grown up! Especially as he appeared less charming at first, but really he was just more mature, distant, and a bit world-weary.
Tara and her family are such dears! I wouldn't have minded an entire book about them! Though I would've missed the tales of Tara and Lucy's foibles in the mod and mad world of early 60s London.
Maybe this is only 4.5 stars but I am rounding up because of many reasons. Mainly I'm just so happy I finally got to read this book!
Now that I'm past the shock, I'm SO EXCITED.
I think The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp is the ever-elusive Dragonfly Summer published under a new title!
!!!
!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't see a pre-order option on amazon yet, and I don't want to spend more than I have to on the UK amazon. (I literally just bought something there five minutes ago.) But I will if I have to, because I've worshiped Eva Rice ever since I read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets! (Or as close to worship as is healthy....)
__________________________________
(Review written post-reading, 10/1/13)
It's so hard for me to judge this book objectively. (But why must I be objective, really?) Of course The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp doesn't reach near that cherished spot in my heart where The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets lives. I feel ridiculous that I feel the need to say that, but if you're reviewing a sort-of sequel to one of your favourite books, these things just come up. Still, I loved this.
Firstly, it was all I could do not to squeal loudly every time there was mention (or in some cases appearances!) of Harry, Penelope, and Charlotte. Those are three of my dearest friends, you see.
And as for Inigo, it was so strange to see that charming young boy all grown up! Especially as he appeared less charming at first, but really he was just more mature, distant, and a bit world-weary.
Tara and her family are such dears! I wouldn't have minded an entire book about them! Though I would've missed the tales of Tara and Lucy's foibles in the mod and mad world of early 60s London.
Maybe this is only 4.5 stars but I am rounding up because of many reasons. Mainly I'm just so happy I finally got to read this book!
em_reads_books's review
4.0
First of all, the songs! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4RN3DCW7aQ4TNHQiKk2a01?si=hNfFHI34QwqELl3238ZXWg
I think this could have used a tighter edit to really hit me with the same charm as Lost Art did - 582 pages! - but I'd happily wander through any length of an Eva Rice story for the historical flavor. (There's substance, but the flavor is the best part.)
I think this could have used a tighter edit to really hit me with the same charm as Lost Art did - 582 pages! - but I'd happily wander through any length of an Eva Rice story for the historical flavor. (There's substance, but the flavor is the best part.)
didyousaybooks's review
5.0
It's the second book by Eva Rice I read, and while I did not like the cover, I bought it because of her name and GODS I DON'T REGRET IT.
I just loved it! Absolutely adored Tara and her family and the Swinging Twenties in London setting and everything!
Even if in all, the music part of it is not the main subject (at all), I guess like everybody that cannot carry a tune to save their life, the lives of musicians are always fascinating!
The book is character driven and everything I love. Every character is lively and touching. This is a book about family, friendship, music, amazing girls, tennis-obssessed vicars, love, poney-crazy heroine that you won't help to fall in love with!
I just loved it! Absolutely adored Tara and her family and the Swinging Twenties in London setting and everything!
Even if in all, the music part of it is not the main subject (at all), I guess like everybody that cannot carry a tune to save their life, the lives of musicians are always fascinating!
The book is character driven and everything I love. Every character is lively and touching. This is a book about family, friendship, music, amazing girls, tennis-obssessed vicars, love, poney-crazy heroine that you won't help to fall in love with!
sophs1f44a's review
5.0
I absolutely adored The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp. Eva Rice’s The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is definitely one of my favourite books so I had high hopes for her latest novel and I was certainly not disappointed.
The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp follows Tara from childhood to late teens. One of a large family of even larger characters, Tara’s ability to sing allows her to stand out a little from her siblings. Chance meetings and childhood friends come good means that Tara ends up in London with a blossoming singing career amidst the backdrop of the rock ‘n roll 50’s giving way to the swinging 60’s. Familiar faces- both real and fictitious- pepper Tara’s whirlwind seventeenth year, opening her eyes and heart to new experiences and new ideas.
Coming of age tales are ten a penny but very few are so rich and satisfying without being over the top, poignant without being contrived. I loved that Tara was so no-nonsense and true to herself without being a typical rebel. She was very much an ordinary girl thrown into an extraordinary situation. Well, at least it was extraordinary to us. When you are part of the now, you don’t ever realise history is being made.
Obviously, it helps that I really enjoy reading and watching films about this period of time- and don’t get me started on the music!- but I was really blown away by the fullness of this novel. There were many characters spanning all age groups but each felt fully formed and distinctive, which is not an easy feat. Also, endings are often difficult and a little flat but the ‘Afterword’ was good- one that I wouldn’t mind happening to me and that’s what a good book is all about, no?
I’m not one for all these adaptations but I truly believe this would make an excellent mini series on BBC4 or something. I would watch it anyway. It would be a brilliant platform for fresh talent along with perhaps some more established actors in the older roles (Tom Hiddleston for Billy?).
I can’t even begin to delve into the themes of the story without giving anything away but I was genuinely moved by the building preservation storyline. In and around London we are constantly witnessing our colourful and eclectic heritage being bulldozed away in favour of these uniform boxes and it is heartbreaking. A chapter towards the end summed up all these feelings in an eloquent yet informative fashion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and no doubt it will join that very small list of books that I regularly re-read.
The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp follows Tara from childhood to late teens. One of a large family of even larger characters, Tara’s ability to sing allows her to stand out a little from her siblings. Chance meetings and childhood friends come good means that Tara ends up in London with a blossoming singing career amidst the backdrop of the rock ‘n roll 50’s giving way to the swinging 60’s. Familiar faces- both real and fictitious- pepper Tara’s whirlwind seventeenth year, opening her eyes and heart to new experiences and new ideas.
Coming of age tales are ten a penny but very few are so rich and satisfying without being over the top, poignant without being contrived. I loved that Tara was so no-nonsense and true to herself without being a typical rebel. She was very much an ordinary girl thrown into an extraordinary situation. Well, at least it was extraordinary to us. When you are part of the now, you don’t ever realise history is being made.
Obviously, it helps that I really enjoy reading and watching films about this period of time- and don’t get me started on the music!- but I was really blown away by the fullness of this novel. There were many characters spanning all age groups but each felt fully formed and distinctive, which is not an easy feat. Also, endings are often difficult and a little flat but the ‘Afterword’ was good- one that I wouldn’t mind happening to me and that’s what a good book is all about, no?
I’m not one for all these adaptations but I truly believe this would make an excellent mini series on BBC4 or something. I would watch it anyway. It would be a brilliant platform for fresh talent along with perhaps some more established actors in the older roles (Tom Hiddleston for Billy?).
I can’t even begin to delve into the themes of the story without giving anything away but I was genuinely moved by the building preservation storyline. In and around London we are constantly witnessing our colourful and eclectic heritage being bulldozed away in favour of these uniform boxes and it is heartbreaking. A chapter towards the end summed up all these feelings in an eloquent yet informative fashion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and no doubt it will join that very small list of books that I regularly re-read.
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