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erin_williams2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
karen_antw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paull9115's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-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
5.0
Impeccable writing
hadeanstars's review against another edition
4.0
Did I love this, or did I hate this? It’s definitely hard to tell because on the one hand it’s exquisitely composed, the dialogue is unbelievable, the characterisation is rich, and the setting is immortal, but on the other, it’s a slog.
This was Mantel’s first novel, which nobody wanted to publish until she was established, and I think this explains much. You can see the genesis of her astounding talent. You can also see the template for the Thomas Cromwell novels which were the apotheosis of this initiating impetus.
The problem with this novel is that the brilliantly realised urbanity that she so effortlessly invokes in her literary creations is just too relentless here. The great Danton borders upon used car salesman. Camille Desmoulins could be an SJW with just a couple of centuries under his belt, and somehow it just doesn’t convince. And then there’s the genius that was Robespierre, one of my historical heroes, and here, he is just a little too lawyerly for my liking.
And in the final analysis, there’s just too much talking. The events of the novel, which are world shaking, if anything could be so described, become mere footnotes. The fall of the Bastille? Half a page, and this book is absolutely vast. The death of the Capets? A few unsatisfying lines. So much is imagined here, but too little is left to the imagination.
Very hard to rate, 7/10
This was Mantel’s first novel, which nobody wanted to publish until she was established, and I think this explains much. You can see the genesis of her astounding talent. You can also see the template for the Thomas Cromwell novels which were the apotheosis of this initiating impetus.
The problem with this novel is that the brilliantly realised urbanity that she so effortlessly invokes in her literary creations is just too relentless here. The great Danton borders upon used car salesman. Camille Desmoulins could be an SJW with just a couple of centuries under his belt, and somehow it just doesn’t convince. And then there’s the genius that was Robespierre, one of my historical heroes, and here, he is just a little too lawyerly for my liking.
And in the final analysis, there’s just too much talking. The events of the novel, which are world shaking, if anything could be so described, become mere footnotes. The fall of the Bastille? Half a page, and this book is absolutely vast. The death of the Capets? A few unsatisfying lines. So much is imagined here, but too little is left to the imagination.
Very hard to rate, 7/10
eileenmalone's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Huge cast of characters so it can be confusing.
kiera_lucy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gabudell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
kdund's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder