wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book. I really did. But in the end, I just couldn't. All the characters in this book were really just awful people. I didn't care about any of them. And I didn't find the style of writing nearly as novel as everyone else seems to.
lizziea229's review against another edition
2.0
Very complicated- the author presents you with three alternative endings to choose from, but other than that I found this book very hard to read. Too many authorial intrusions (chapters and chapters of irrelevant stuff) and no likeable characters. I wanted so desperately to love this story because I did enjoy the first two chapters, but I was soon lost :(
aimsiu's review against another edition
5.0
My late father's favorite book. Re-read it to feel close to him.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
edboies's review against another edition
4.0
Never would have guessed that I would have loved this book.
normalgirlreads's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wynwicket's review against another edition
4.0
Expecting no more than what the blurb told me: a dramatic tale of a Victorian love triangle, I was completely floored by what I read, a book that covers Victorian philosophies on duty, gender, wealth, evolution, and of course love, through the eyes of the author-as-narrator, commenting and viewing it all through his 1960s lens. The story itself was relatively simple: a gentleman engaged to be married meets a mysterious female outcast who waits for the return of said French Lieutenant. But the places the author takes this... wow. At times frustrating, but consistently brilliant writing. And the ending(s)--all I can say is yes. A very strange book; I'll be picking up anything else I can by John Fowles.
elsnooko's review against another edition
5.0
Can't say I've ever read anything like this but I love it! Contained all the tropes I love in Victorian romances but turned them on their head. Utterly baffling and unique, Fowles' omniscient narrator openly critiques Victorian society whilst alluding to famous nineteenth-century novelists, poets, artists, theorists, and political works. The dual nature of this novel really intrigued me, and I think researching it will only make me appreciate it more. I believe its also one of the first times I've ever read a novel that discusses agnosticism ayy.
aritag'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25