Reviews

I've always been fascinated by Madame Tussaud, so this novelization was a welcome read. It's such a unique time period and topic that you'd be hard pressed to find something similar. It can read as very poetic and flowy, so if you don't have patience for that sort of writing, you may struggle to get through this book. But I really enjoyed it.

aliceq's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I loved this book. Macabre in places but well-handled. Got really invested in Marie and her story which was fascinating. The supporting characters were colourfully drawn and added hugely to the story. Ended up researching the historical setting.
Would love to know what happened next!

hannchilada's review against another edition

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4.0

The best part about Little was by far the immersive tone. Marie felt so real to me. And she was a very Jane Eyre heroine, stoic and prim and all around different. At the same time, she had that refreshing twentieth century open mind and sass. The combination is utterly unique and yet it never leaves the French Revolution.

The other characters, for some reason, feel less important. "Little" Marie loomed larger than life, that much is certain. But there was aching humanity, even in the villains, from the widow to the princess. All of the main characters also have their own flaws, and I love them for it.

I think the plot of the book matches Marie's tone, dancing between macabre and intricate, almost obsessive fascination. Consequently, the plot and tone combine to great effect. I noted at one point, this is getting painful to read. But at that exact point, Carey introduced a light into the story. I think he has a great awareness of the reader and finds a way to pull at the heartstrings without leaving them sore.

Still, I think the pacing left me uncomfortable too long at certain points in the story, and at other times the details felt too intricate, the detached fascination almost morbid in a way that made me uncomfortable. I think other people might like this detail, but it wasn't for me.

All in all, I love the direction this book is pushing fiction. Both the concept and the heroine are completely out of the box. I'd love to read more from Edward Carey. Rating: 3.5 stars