Scan barcode
el_viral's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely brilliant. I powered through this book. I would very rarely say that something is 'unputdownable' but this really was. I loved the dreamy prose, the very real world that the characters find themselves in, the interrelationships explored. It is a book where nothing much happens but between those moments everything happens. Beautifully written and poignant, highly recommended, I look forward to reading the rest of the quartet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Death
forest240's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Initially i was unsure about this book, but once I got into Elisabeths story i read most of it in one sitting. Really immersive and enjoyable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
regulusreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is strange but familiar in the best way. The book is a fragment of time and looks at what our world looked like in 2016 and the impacts of Brexit while visiting the past and the places of our dreams. It’s a worthwhile read if you enjoy non-linear storytelling and character driven books.
I loved the discussions around love in the book as well, the acknowledgment of the various different kinds of love we can experience.
I loved the discussions around love in the book as well, the acknowledgment of the various different kinds of love we can experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Medical content
withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ali Smith has a wonderful way of writing characters that feel like they’ve just stepped out of a very British film (the kind of film with a male lead who was definitely supposed to be Hugh Grant but they didn’t have the budget to cast him, you know the sort), they’re so unique and their dialogue is so fun to read. I wish I’d read it when it first came out, it transported me right back to 2016 and the aftermath of the Brexit vote, with all of that anger and injustice (little did we know it would only get worse from there).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
greenan26's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Deportation
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
avie_j's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
feebles640's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Terminal illness and Pregnancy
rosalind's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness
amelreads's review against another edition
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Not really a plot-book just follows the characters with some flashes to the past. I did like Elisabeth’s POV much better than Daniel’s, as his seemed to be all over the place, confusing, and made no sense to me (the writing in his chapters seemed to be overly metaphorical/artistic…not entirely sure how to describe it)
Loved the relationship between Elisabeth and Daniel, especially seeing how it affected Elisabeth as she grew up!
It was a decent read; nothing great that would leave me thinking for days after having finished, but it wasn’t a bad read either. Fairly quick and easy to get through if you’re looking for a shorter book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Racism, and Suicide