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stu_rt's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.25
katievh27's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
annabelle744's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
frankieedrich's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
angelique68's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
mia_jk's review against another edition
5.0
Cannot comment on the accuracy of the author's accounts of historical events but a splendid lyrical account nonetheless. What a way with words! There are several passages I read over and over again because of the sheer beauty of his words! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! This is the second Louis de Bernieres' novel that I have read, the first being A Partisan's Daughter and now I cannot wait to read the rest!
hadeanstars's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning in almost every sense, this is a novel about humanity and life like (almost) no other. It is funny, tragic, lyrical, magical, heartbreaking, but it is most of all human. So worth the time, although I read it in only three days, it is just so well done.
If I wanted to be critical, I would say that it fell off in the second third, because perhaps it is hard to maintain the magic of the opening chapters. It reminded me very much of Fowles' The Magus, and not just because it is set on a Greek island, although the environment is of course similar. It is perhaps because they both have strong elements of magical realism to them. I have no idea about the author's political leanings either, but found his depiction of communists to be Pythonesque, if anything they were more absurd than the People's Front of Judea. Whilst there was much comedy in the book, it was never so preposterous as it was when dealing with the concepts of socialism, which felt to me heavy-handed when compared to the light touch of every other topic. One suspects an agenda.
But these are trifling concerns, the novel is altogether superb and everyone who loves reading should find a copy.
If I wanted to be critical, I would say that it fell off in the second third, because perhaps it is hard to maintain the magic of the opening chapters. It reminded me very much of Fowles' The Magus, and not just because it is set on a Greek island, although the environment is of course similar. It is perhaps because they both have strong elements of magical realism to them. I have no idea about the author's political leanings either, but found his depiction of communists to be Pythonesque, if anything they were more absurd than the People's Front of Judea. Whilst there was much comedy in the book, it was never so preposterous as it was when dealing with the concepts of socialism, which felt to me heavy-handed when compared to the light touch of every other topic. One suspects an agenda.
But these are trifling concerns, the novel is altogether superb and everyone who loves reading should find a copy.
olivia_holmes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
brandidean's review against another edition
3.0
Read this ages ago and remember liking it a lot, though. To as much as the movie (which I loved for the story despite Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruze being a weird pairing).
pablot's review against another edition
5.0
i’m in awe, this was beautifully written and was simultaneously the most heartwarming and depressing thing i’ve ever read