alleeme's review
5.0
What lies ahead for those hanging on to old regimes? Is there a possibility for happiness and utility at the end of a life spent sacrificing everything else to cling madly to an already dead establishment. Scraps of happiness are all anyone can hope for I suppose. I actually cried at the end of this, not sure what's going on with me...
megmo's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Minor: War
thetravellingbibliophile's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Feels like a novel for its time — interesting at first, then Stevens just droned on and on and on with his thoughts. I find it didn’t pick up until the last few minutes and then ended on quite a bittersweet note.
jnnjnkns's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
georginadaw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
jordan_e's review
4.0
Loved this book, very reflective.
Favorite passage:
“Perhaps, then, there is something to his advice that I should cease looking back so much., that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day. After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?
What is the point in worrying oneself too much about what one could or could not have done to control the course one’s life took?
Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make a small contribution count for something true and worthy.
And if some of us are prepared to sacrifice much in life in order to pursue such aspirations, surely that is in itself, whatever the outcome, cause for pride and contentment.”
Favorite passage:
“Perhaps, then, there is something to his advice that I should cease looking back so much., that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day. After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?
What is the point in worrying oneself too much about what one could or could not have done to control the course one’s life took?
Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make a small contribution count for something true and worthy.
And if some of us are prepared to sacrifice much in life in order to pursue such aspirations, surely that is in itself, whatever the outcome, cause for pride and contentment.”
annarella's review
5.0
I was more than happy to reread this story and I found as fascinating and enthralling as the first time.
It aged well and I think it can be considered a classic.
It’s not a story for anyone who wants a fast paced and action packed story: you have to sit and let the words and the storytelling take you to another time and place.
Excellent storytelling and character development, a fascinating and vivid historical background.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine
It aged well and I think it can be considered a classic.
It’s not a story for anyone who wants a fast paced and action packed story: you have to sit and let the words and the storytelling take you to another time and place.
Excellent storytelling and character development, a fascinating and vivid historical background.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine
irenealasclarin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5