melissakuzma's review against another edition
4.0
A group of strangers whose lives intersect is one of my favorite literary themes, and it's done well in Paradise City. I really cared about what happened to these people and was quite surprised how they all came together.
readerlas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hollyedwards_98's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book..i LOVE intertwining narratives so much. character heavy with a nicely developed plot. easy reading but also gorgeously written ..100% recommend
gillesnullens's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
artiv's review against another edition
3.0
Blog: https://thelogophile.wixsite.com/blog
I was drawn to the cover of this book. I was looking for a light-hearted read, a multi-story read. Luckily for me, I came across Paradise City. Yes it is multi-story, but I wouldn't exactly describe it as light-hearted.
Paradise City is the exploration of four interconnected lives in modern-day London.
We hear from four characters: Howard Pink - self-made millionaire struggling with his daughter's disappearance, Beatrice Kizza - a Ugandan refugee working as a hotel maid, Esme Reade - ambitious journalist, and Carol Hetherington - recently widowed.
Paradise City is what I would describe as an easy, holiday read. The characters were slightly stock and predictable, but Day has written a definite page-turner. I ended up rooting for Howard despite myself, and his behaviour - and found him to be the most personable, real character.
Day successfully develops the characters' individual stories, and allows each to remain real, and true to themselves. There is the feeling that Day has written the book backwards - in that she already has the ending in mind and knows how the characters' lives will collide.
Despite it taking me a few chapters to get into the book, once I did I finished it within half a day. The story is intriguing and full of twists (up to a certain point, where things begin to become predictable).
The ending did seem rushed and quickly sewn together, with everything resolved far too easily. However, Paradise City is an overall enjoyable and easy read.
I was drawn to the cover of this book. I was looking for a light-hearted read, a multi-story read. Luckily for me, I came across Paradise City. Yes it is multi-story, but I wouldn't exactly describe it as light-hearted.
Paradise City is the exploration of four interconnected lives in modern-day London.
We hear from four characters: Howard Pink - self-made millionaire struggling with his daughter's disappearance, Beatrice Kizza - a Ugandan refugee working as a hotel maid, Esme Reade - ambitious journalist, and Carol Hetherington - recently widowed.
Paradise City is what I would describe as an easy, holiday read. The characters were slightly stock and predictable, but Day has written a definite page-turner. I ended up rooting for Howard despite myself, and his behaviour - and found him to be the most personable, real character.
Day successfully develops the characters' individual stories, and allows each to remain real, and true to themselves. There is the feeling that Day has written the book backwards - in that she already has the ending in mind and knows how the characters' lives will collide.
Despite it taking me a few chapters to get into the book, once I did I finished it within half a day. The story is intriguing and full of twists (up to a certain point, where things begin to become predictable).
The ending did seem rushed and quickly sewn together, with everything resolved far too easily. However, Paradise City is an overall enjoyable and easy read.
ermj94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ruthlemon08's review against another edition
5.0
A real page turner. I found I was invested in every character. Which is something I wasn’t expecting given the early events of the book. Warm, funny but also delicate and dark in the perfect balance.
bridgetww's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shantuck13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25