pearlpool's review against another edition
4.0
another school book. i really liked this!! portia is such a loveable protagonist and the writing was really approachable for a classic imo. this kind of book usually isn’t my thing but the drama had me absolutely hooked. intricate rituals etc etc etc
thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
nick_jenkins's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, there are such sparkling moments of grace and insight, deftness and articulacy like you wouldn't believe, but I could never really get interested in anything but the writing.
tiggytiggy's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
gnothiseauton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have no idea why people say this is Bowen’s best book. The Last September is leagues better
taytoews's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nohoperadio's review against another edition
3.5
This left me with the feeling that I’d really like to read a better Elizabeth Bowen novel than this one. I like characters who overanalyze themselves and each other, who are a bit too theoretical about life, and these characters are very much that. But they’re rather too eloquent about it with too little struggle, so that I often feel like I’m just reading Elizabeth Bowen’s thoughts about her own creations and not the creatures themselves. I am intrigued though, I’ll probably be tempted into at least one more book of hers before I die.