amelialucie's review
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kanyanko's review
4.0
loved the atmosphere and setting of the book. it was so cozy, almost reminiscent of the slice-of-life genre. the diction was beautiful and none of the descriptions seemed overdone or out of place. most of the characters were lovely and i enjoyed reading about them.
however the last one-third of the book lost me. it takes a darker turn, which was anticipated from the build-up, but the pacing comes off as a bit too abrupt. the first two-thirds of the novel is very slow-paced, and then comes the last 100 pages where there's so so much happening in such a short span of time. there's such a sudden shift in genre. it sort of dampens the mood set up so far.
overall a very good read! really recommended for everyone.
however the last one-third of the book lost me. it takes a darker turn, which was anticipated from the build-up, but the pacing comes off as a bit too abrupt. the first two-thirds of the novel is very slow-paced, and then comes the last 100 pages where there's so so much happening in such a short span of time. there's such a sudden shift in genre. it sort of dampens the mood set up so far.
Spoiler
(also i don't really get the point of including nimmy and prakash in the story. they served no purpose to the main plot except to serve as a complete contrast of gerhardt's personality. this message, too, came off as too forward and direct. not a single ounce of subtlety. i do wish there was more closure about anjali and dan.)overall a very good read! really recommended for everyone.
agarje1's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this story and these characters. The sense of place was so strong in this novel, and I really felt like I was there with the characters in the village. I love how Harris examines the darker sides to these picturesque villages, and how the remnants of civil war, inequality, and tourism affects these communities. The contrast between the sunny outer appearance of the village and the shady activities that took place under the surface was a running theme that I thought was handled perfectly. This novel was infused with social commentary throughout, which I always enjoy reading about, and it was interesting to learn about ethno-nationalist movements in a new context and the ways they are engaged in rewriting history. Moral and financial corruption are closely interlinked in this novel, and the gulfs between various sections of society (such as poor village-dwellers and the cosmopolitan Colombo elite) are examined with poignant detail.
I think the diversity of backgrounds among this large cast of characters is what makes a lot of this social commentary more effective. Reading about the interactions between these characters really amplified their differences and shed a light on the ways they may not understand each others' backgrounds. I got really invested in these characters over the 500 pages of this novel, and I'm so glad to have been given a glimpse at life in this part of Sri Lanka through their eyes.
The one small criticism that sticks with me almost a month after having finished the novel is that the narrative was sometimes diverted by distracting and overly detailed descriptions of plants or rooms or furniture that took me out of the story. But other than that, the experience of reading this novel was very positive for me.
I think the diversity of backgrounds among this large cast of characters is what makes a lot of this social commentary more effective. Reading about the interactions between these characters really amplified their differences and shed a light on the ways they may not understand each others' backgrounds. I got really invested in these characters over the 500 pages of this novel, and I'm so glad to have been given a glimpse at life in this part of Sri Lanka through their eyes.
The one small criticism that sticks with me almost a month after having finished the novel is that the narrative was sometimes diverted by distracting and overly detailed descriptions of plants or rooms or furniture that took me out of the story. But other than that, the experience of reading this novel was very positive for me.
ladyr's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This is a slow-moving novel but beautifully written. If you stick with it you will be rewarded. A strong debut. Her ability to transport you to the settings in this book are brilliant.
ecstatic_yet_chaotic's review
4.0
"Sri Lanka is a mixed-up garden, a hive of buzzing anxiety and passion where dangerous venom lurks, always about to spill over."
A very promising story that takes you to the coastal heaven of Sri Lanka. Padma returns back to her beloved house near the sea after her unsuccessful education in Colombo and with the help of her adoptive father turns it into a profitable business. But Padma has a past that seeks her out every now and then, a past that has a dangerous network of webs, waiting for its next prey.
In 'Beautiful Place', Harris works with both- the rich and violent history of the island and the darker, politically troublesome present. She connects them seamlessly and through characters who are deeply affected by it all. Padma wants to stay as far away as possible from the politics and the filthy locals who would do anything for money. There are these tiny details mentioned throughout the story such as the importance of Race to the locals, the feud between Sinhalese and Tamil folks, the need to present the country as a flawless and perfect society despite the corruption and the extortions. Harris firmly integrates them and gives us an honest and true picture of the life that hides behind the scenic beauty. Her ability to transport the readers to the setting of the book is commendable and at times, gratifying.
Harris also invests a substantial amount of time in building the other characters, some significant and some, not so much but each acting as a vehicle to represent some event (dangerous in most cases) in the bigger scheme of things.
The story gives a lot to the readers but demands a little bit of patience in return. The plot turns predictable too soon, but it is also refreshing to see how each relationship in the story helped form an ending that was painful, yet inescapable.
A very promising story that takes you to the coastal heaven of Sri Lanka. Padma returns back to her beloved house near the sea after her unsuccessful education in Colombo and with the help of her adoptive father turns it into a profitable business. But Padma has a past that seeks her out every now and then, a past that has a dangerous network of webs, waiting for its next prey.
In 'Beautiful Place', Harris works with both- the rich and violent history of the island and the darker, politically troublesome present. She connects them seamlessly and through characters who are deeply affected by it all. Padma wants to stay as far away as possible from the politics and the filthy locals who would do anything for money. There are these tiny details mentioned throughout the story such as the importance of Race to the locals, the feud between Sinhalese and Tamil folks, the need to present the country as a flawless and perfect society despite the corruption and the extortions. Harris firmly integrates them and gives us an honest and true picture of the life that hides behind the scenic beauty. Her ability to transport the readers to the setting of the book is commendable and at times, gratifying.
Harris also invests a substantial amount of time in building the other characters, some significant and some, not so much but each acting as a vehicle to represent some event (dangerous in most cases) in the bigger scheme of things.
The story gives a lot to the readers but demands a little bit of patience in return. The plot turns predictable too soon, but it is also refreshing to see how each relationship in the story helped form an ending that was painful, yet inescapable.
atharvg's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this story and these characters. The sense of place was so strong in this novel, and I really felt like I was there with the characters in the village. I love how Harris examines the darker sides to these picturesque villages, and how the remnants of civil war, inequality, and tourism affects these communities. The contrast between the sunny outer appearance of the village and the shady activities that took place under the surface was a running theme that I thought was handled perfectly. This novel was infused with social commentary throughout, which I always enjoy reading about, and it was interesting to learn about ethno-nationalist movements in a new context and the ways they are engaged in rewriting history. Moral and financial corruption are closely interlinked in this novel, and the gulfs between various sections of society (such as poor village-dwellers and the cosmopolitan Colombo elite) are examined with poignant detail.
I think the diversity of backgrounds among this large cast of characters is what makes a lot of this social commentary more effective. Reading about the interactions between these characters really amplified their differences and shed a light on the ways they may not understand each others' backgrounds. I got really invested in these characters over the 500 pages of this novel, and I'm so glad to have been given a glimpse at life in this part of Sri Lanka through their eyes.
The one small criticism that sticks with me almost a month after having finished the novel is that the narrative was sometimes diverted by distracting and overly detailed descriptions of plants or rooms or furniture that took me out of the story. But other than that, the experience of reading this novel was very positive for me.
I think the diversity of backgrounds among this large cast of characters is what makes a lot of this social commentary more effective. Reading about the interactions between these characters really amplified their differences and shed a light on the ways they may not understand each others' backgrounds. I got really invested in these characters over the 500 pages of this novel, and I'm so glad to have been given a glimpse at life in this part of Sri Lanka through their eyes.
The one small criticism that sticks with me almost a month after having finished the novel is that the narrative was sometimes diverted by distracting and overly detailed descriptions of plants or rooms or furniture that took me out of the story. But other than that, the experience of reading this novel was very positive for me.
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