Reviews

Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

merlinandamy's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.25

mouseczko's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

danileighta's review against another edition

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3.0

I love this series overall, but this book dragged for me. I felt disconnected from Maisie and needed breaks. This had something to do with her back and forth feelings about James, but mostly I just felt frustrated. I do think the author did this on purpsose to some extent. Let's be honest, Maisie has been a bit too perfect and she really does try to control things, though we may not have seen it in this light in previous books. I appreciated the self discovery and inquiry, but, just as I get annoyed with myself for my own flaws, I found I was growing impatient with Maisie.

Overall, as I write, I see where this book fits in with the overall canon, but it was not as fun to reas as others. I will definitely continue with the series, but I do hope things pick up a bit.

therealbel's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

melissa_who_reads's review against another edition

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4.0

In the last one, Maisie went back to the Cambridge of her youth. In this one, she is taken further back, to the Lambeth of her childhood, as she is asked to solve the death of a developmentally disabled young man from Lambeth, who she knew as a child. Among other things, she discovers her father maintained a relationship with Eddie well into adulthood, long after Frankie moved to the country -- in fact, right up to Eddie's death.

This one has all her personal relationships thrown into disarray. What part does her best friend's husband play in the story of Eddie's death? Why is she feeling suffocated in her relationship with James? Her father refuses to move into the Dower House, now hers -- and is carrying on a relationship with her housekeeper, Mrs. Bromley. And perhaps most upsetting, her right-hand man, Billy Beale, is badly beaten up, and his mentally ill wife accuses Maisie of meddling in their lives -- and Maisie has to confront her own need for control and whether her own wisdom really is best.

Good read. Good lessons in the limits of generosity.

whatcassiedid's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

saraelizabetha's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

therealkathryn's review against another edition

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4.0

Strong entry in the series.

michellehenriereads's review against another edition

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3.0

Winspear has a unique way of capturing Europe during the bleak times surrounding the Great Wars. I find that I am fascinated by her stories and pulled in, and yet I wouldn't say the novels are uplifting or cheerful, but rather they are grey.

Elegy For Eddie was not my favorite in the Maisie Dobbs series, yet I was still enthralled while reading to better understand how all the threads would be woven together. Maisie's character is quite complex as she tries to sort out her feelings and learn how to work with others. I was hoping that she had put aside all her feelings of inadequacy and would be able to move forward with ease.I am very disappointed that Maisie is having second thoughts...

The previous books in the series are 1. Maisie Dobbs 2. Birds of a Feather 3. Pardonable Lies 4. Messenger of Truth 5. An Incomplete Revenge 6. Among the Mad 7. The Mapping of Love and Death 8. A Lesson in Secrets

To read my full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com

cbh2584's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5-4 stars. Not my favorite Maisie Dobbs book, but enjoyable nonetheless