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thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Edinburgh. A spinster lady in her 60s, Dorothea Balfour, has just lost her older sister in death. Her older sister was rather a bully, and before that Dorothea was subject to the whims of her father. Thus, for the first time in her 60-odd years, Dorothea is truly her own mistress. She begins hey new chapter by befriending her neighbors, the Lenoxes, a family consisting of a single mother and five grown or nearly grown children. The friendship that springs up between the neighboring houses changes both sides for the better. A nice story of decent people (my favorite kind!), a few romances, and gentle optimism.
There are a couple plot lines/characters that fizzle out. Some might see this as problematic, but these "slice of life" books often feel more realistic because of things like that. After all, how many people and things are there in life that pass briefly onto your horizon but don't hold a starring role there? The fact is that sometimes things don't work out like you assume they will, and when book characters experience this, I feel akin to them. (Not that I wouldn't like a couple loose ends tied up, but I could live with them in this case.)
This author was a friend and neighbor of D.E. Stevenson, and their writing styles are very similar!
There are a couple plot lines/characters that fizzle out. Some might see this as problematic, but these "slice of life" books often feel more realistic because of things like that. After all, how many people and things are there in life that pass briefly onto your horizon but don't hold a starring role there? The fact is that sometimes things don't work out like you assume they will, and when book characters experience this, I feel akin to them. (Not that I wouldn't like a couple loose ends tied up, but I could live with them in this case.)
This author was a friend and neighbor of D.E. Stevenson, and their writing styles are very similar!
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/review-2200-near-neighbours/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/review-2200-near-neighbours/
doramac's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
lisamck's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
nicky36's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the setting in Edinburgh and adored most of the characters including Miss Dorothea, an elderly lady living in a nice house in this mostly worn-down Crescent, next door to a family including a widow and her 5 children of various ages, from 16 up. Miss Dorothea has been bullied by her late sister and previously by her Father as well. Now she's on her own she can do as she wishes so when Rowan, one of the daughter's from next door knocks on her door, she lets her in. The idea of an elderly lady having a second chance is sweet and is gently done. When we first meet Miss Dorothea she is shy and timid but as time goes on she becomes more confident as she gets to know the Lenox's next door. Rowan is the one I liked and followed the most. She's about 20 and is down-to-earth with a crusading spirit and a love for the underdog. She works as a nanny looking after three small children and loves Scottish Country dancing. https://readableword.wordpress.com/2021/10/09/near-neighbours-by-molly-clavering/
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