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the_fat_k_'s review against another edition
3.75
A quick read, but not too basic. Nice prose and a captivating plot.
carlytenille's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Grief
philippakmoore's review
3.0
Georgia Blain is a beautiful writer. Closed for Winter is an evocative and haunting story about a woman whose older sister went missing when she was a child. Now in her late twenties, Elise finds relationships, be it with her mother Dorothy, her boyfriend Martin, or her workmates and neighbours, difficult. The disappearance of her sister is still a mystery. Both her mother's health and her relationship with Martin are deteriorating.
It's a bleak story, with little redemption, and Elise is a tough character to like, despite the reader empathising with her difficult childhood, because she is so meek and passive. But it's a testament to Georgia Blain's writing that you keep turning the pages and find even the weirdest and most frustrating moments make your heart wince rather than put the book aside in irritation.
An interesting story about siblings, love, family and why we keep going home, even if we spent years trying to escape.
It's a bleak story, with little redemption, and Elise is a tough character to like, despite the reader empathising with her difficult childhood, because she is so meek and passive. But it's a testament to Georgia Blain's writing that you keep turning the pages and find even the weirdest and most frustrating moments make your heart wince rather than put the book aside in irritation.
An interesting story about siblings, love, family and why we keep going home, even if we spent years trying to escape.
fw420's review against another edition
sad
medium-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
redhickory's review
3.0
This is between 3 and 4 stars for me.
Beautifully written story, depicting the impacts of trauma on mother and daughter.
I know others will be annoyed there was not a resolution to the mystery element of the story but for me this was Elise's story and I found her decisions and changes satisfying. I thought the end was enough of an "ending" for the story to feel complete.
Beautifully written story, depicting the impacts of trauma on mother and daughter.
I know others will be annoyed there was not a resolution to the mystery element of the story but for me this was Elise's story and I found her decisions and changes satisfying. I thought the end was enough of an "ending" for the story to feel complete.
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