lhhrmn's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of jumbly thoughts about this one, so in no particular order:
- I read this relatively quickly, even with it being nearly 600 pages, so that says something about the overall storyline, though I don't feel like every page, plot line or segue was necessary. The near-end of the book, Marian and Eddie's flight, somehow seemed to drag on. I remember thinking around page 450 that we still hadn't gotten to that part of the novel, really, and wondered how short/long it would be. As close to the end as it was, I wanted to rush through it and get to the end end.
- Lots of reviews mention detesting Hadley's character, which I suppose I can see, but for whatever reason, I didn't mind her as much. Much like Marian, one could argue she's finding her way and learning from those before her and yes, making mistakes along the way. I think you need the present-day storyline since without it, it becomes just historical fiction/mystery and lacks a bit of the depth.
- Having just finished THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, I wasn't sure if Barclay's character/the time-traveling would be too similar and while they were obviously different enough, Barclay was still .. IDK, something seemed off there, plot-wise. Maybe that was the point, though?
- I read this relatively quickly, even with it being nearly 600 pages, so that says something about the overall storyline, though I don't feel like every page, plot line or segue was necessary. The near-end of the book, Marian and Eddie's flight, somehow seemed to drag on. I remember thinking around page 450 that we still hadn't gotten to that part of the novel, really, and wondered how short/long it would be. As close to the end as it was, I wanted to rush through it and get to the end end.
- Lots of reviews mention detesting Hadley's character, which I suppose I can see, but for whatever reason, I didn't mind her as much. Much like Marian, one could argue she's finding her way and learning from those before her and yes, making mistakes along the way. I think you need the present-day storyline since without it, it becomes just historical fiction/mystery and lacks a bit of the depth.
- Having just finished THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, I wasn't sure if Barclay's character/the time-traveling would be too similar and while they were obviously different enough, Barclay was still .. IDK, something seemed off there, plot-wise. Maybe that was the point, though?
kellyinbookland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
mazbaz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
susmag's review against another edition
DNF'D this book. I tried to read it a few times but I just couldn't get into it.
leila_scola's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, and Violence
yenthe_s's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
bookishlykelly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
eviewilliams29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
suzanneelliott_25's review against another edition
5.0
Truly astounding book. There is something about Shipstead’s writing style that I adore. The scale of the story is incredible, I do love books that try to cover multiple generations of the same family. It is why I love Pachinko for the same reason.
(Not to be glib/cheeky but) I think the people that reviewed this book saying that they don’t like the dual timelines and non-linear elements of the story are the same people that said that the dual timelines in Little Women (2019) was too confusing.
Would thoroughly recommend, even though there are some elements of violence in the middle of the book that I would say should come with trigger warnings.
(Not to be glib/cheeky but) I think the people that reviewed this book saying that they don’t like the dual timelines and non-linear elements of the story are the same people that said that the dual timelines in Little Women (2019) was too confusing.
Would thoroughly recommend, even though there are some elements of violence in the middle of the book that I would say should come with trigger warnings.