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stellahadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The pacing of the book was slower than I would have liked; it took me almost 200 pages to really get into the story. I think there's also something about the Victorian-esque writing style that doesn't totally resonate with me -- I didn't feel like I could fully connect with any of the characters, and most of them were just downright unlikeable. (My copy was the 20th anniversary edition with an afterword by the author, and I'll just say I agree with what she has to say about Nancy!)
I can see why this book is popular; it's well-written (I especially liked the setting descriptions and worldbuilding) and explores aspects of Victorian life that aren't always included in the literary canon. However, I think the genre and writing style simply weren't for me.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
amina_writes_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
sersi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Lesbophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
liliakwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse
katewhite77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Our heroine tells her own story form the age of 19 to 25. She starts out as a sheltered music hall fan, working in the family oyster business. She ends up at a socialist convention in Golders Green.
The tale between those two points is a captivating 19 hour listen but it is definitely not one for small ears. As always Waters writing is amazing she really brings the 19th century to life using all five senses. She really made me route for Nancy even though at times I wanted to scream Have A Word With Yourself at her.
I consider this a classic of my life time and can't believe it has taken me this long to get to, but now I have and I loved it.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Lesbophobia
ranbara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
flowersforfroggo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Lesbophobia
marxxx's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Colonisation
_meganno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail