paulataua's review against another edition
5.0
Siân is working on an archeological dig at Whitby abbey when she meets Mack and his dog on the steps leading up to the abbey. With the start of a relationship comes the mystery of a centuries old manuscript in a bottle that needs to be unfolded. Of course, the story is written by Michel Faber and so the actual mystery or the relationship are less important that what it all means for Sian in her quest to find herself.
‘The job is trickier than I thought. You’re going to have to decide what’s more important to you, Mack: knowing what that document says, or keeping it the way you like’.
A short but totally engaging novella that I really enjoyed will reread somewhen in the future.
‘The job is trickier than I thought. You’re going to have to decide what’s more important to you, Mack: knowing what that document says, or keeping it the way you like’.
A short but totally engaging novella that I really enjoyed will reread somewhen in the future.
katyla's review against another edition
5.0
Both such different stories, but equal in their sophistication and power to draw you in, alow you to know the characters, sympathise with them, like them or loathe them, and ultimately feel less alone in the world.
katyla's review against another edition
4.0
Another great story from a master of writing human nature, in a way that makes us feel less along in the world
ashleighbeanxo's review
1.0
The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps follows Sian, a young woman whose nightmares which involve her dying horrifically, have plagued her for sometime. After joining an archaeological dig, she meets a man, Mack, and his dog, Hadrian, and after bantering/flirting with each other, he tells her his deceased father left him a 18th Century scroll which contains the confession of Thos Peirson, and has never been read. This novella revolves around Sian and her concerns regarding her physical health, whilst also fighting her growing feelings for Mack, and her desire to read the confession inside the scroll.
So I did not like this. At all. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was too short for me, maybe it was the writing style. Just didn't work for me. The summary I read for this book stated that it would contain a murder mystery, and it just wasn't what I expected. The friendship between Sian and Mack also didn't go how I thought it would.
Overall, didn't work for me.
So I did not like this. At all. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was too short for me, maybe it was the writing style. Just didn't work for me. The summary I read for this book stated that it would contain a murder mystery, and it just wasn't what I expected. The friendship between Sian and Mack also didn't go how I thought it would.
Spoiler
I was so certain they would give into their feelings for each other and get together. I still don't fully understand Sian's reasons for not giving in.Overall, didn't work for me.
hollyberrybooks's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
jgwc54e5's review against another edition
5.0
Michel Faber is brilliant. I was drawn into this short book from the arresting opening paragraph, the location, and the interesting storyline.
The main character Sian, is an archaeologist working on a dig at Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire. She has a tragic complicated backstory and when she meets Magnus and his dog Hadrian their relationship isn’t going to be straight forward. Magnus has an old document in a bottle which Sian agrees to open and find out what it says. The book is a slow reveal, both Sian herself and the story from the document.
I think I have to add Faber to my favourite authors, Ive enjoyed everything I’ve read by him!
The main character Sian, is an archaeologist working on a dig at Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire. She has a tragic complicated backstory and when she meets Magnus and his dog Hadrian their relationship isn’t going to be straight forward. Magnus has an old document in a bottle which Sian agrees to open and find out what it says. The book is a slow reveal, both Sian herself and the story from the document.
I think I have to add Faber to my favourite authors, Ive enjoyed everything I’ve read by him!
mtmarriott's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Having just recently been to Whitby it was very easy to picture the novella in my head and it made me want to go back immediately. Not the most exciting story in the world and the central mystery is a little anti-climactic but if you’re looking for a romcom energy with a very dark and sinister edge then this might hit the spot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, War, and Murder
nocto's review
3.0
I didn't realise how short this book was when I bought it. (It was only £1 in a Kindle sale though so I don't feel too shortchanged!) The print copy is only just over 100 pages I think, and I flew through this in a fraction of a lazy afternoon.
I bought it because I know the setting, the steps up to the abbey at Whitby, well and it sounded intriguing. It's short but perfectly formed and I wouldn't have minded spending a lot longer with the characters, but this worked nicely. I'll look out for more by the author.
I bought it because I know the setting, the steps up to the abbey at Whitby, well and it sounded intriguing. It's short but perfectly formed and I wouldn't have minded spending a lot longer with the characters, but this worked nicely. I'll look out for more by the author.
emmagray13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0