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hgraham98's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ckingbennot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.25
lizbradford's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
fromwhativeread's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
womangenius's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Extremely accurate depiction of what it's like to be an melancholy young girl who feels she doesn't fit in...but there's a lot of those books. It didn't give me much else to chew on. I would definitely have recommended this to a younger me. The moody Scottish Highlands setting was beautifully rendered, and adds to the whole Gothic affair. Definitely is a modern Gothic classic as advertised, if you are searching for such a vibe, you'll find it here (mid century modern, anyway).
I don't understand why Janet died except in a figurative sense - the curmudgeonly old groundskeeper, symbol of old patriarchal Scottish society, snuffing out the young rebellious girl the exact moment she seizes some semblance of freedom. I can appreciate it in that sense but I'm just someone who prefers the events of a novel to also be grounded in a reality whose machinations have a logic to them, and Jim's random act of violence made no sense to me. "that's the point, killing her is as inconsequential to him as the rabbits he butchers for dinner☝️" Okay I don't care for me it's a three star book. Because it makes sense to butcher rabbits for dinner. Theyre not having Janet for dinner except metaphorically, as fodder for their endless snarking gossip.
However, I can see why it's so adored and it has a chance to grow on me if I stop worrying so much about realism.
I don't understand why Janet died except in a figurative sense - the curmudgeonly old groundskeeper, symbol of old patriarchal Scottish society, snuffing out the young rebellious girl the exact moment she seizes some semblance of freedom. I can appreciate it in that sense but I'm just someone who prefers the events of a novel to also be grounded in a reality whose machinations have a logic to them, and Jim's random act of violence made no sense to me. "that's the point, killing her is as inconsequential to him as the rabbits he butchers for dinner☝️" Okay I don't care for me it's a three star book. Because it makes sense to butcher rabbits for dinner. Theyre not having Janet for dinner except metaphorically, as fodder for their endless snarking gossip.
However, I can see why it's so adored and it has a chance to grow on me if I stop worrying so much about realism.
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, and War
llooggaann's review against another edition
5.0
so beautifully written. ending had me wide mouth in awe. there is a sentence about being alone in a house that perfectly describes it.
dreadpiratelinds's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
wereallinthegutter's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
bookworm_mary's review against another edition
5.0
Well Bookworms, it’s happened! I finished O Caledonia last night and gave it a strong 4 stars. This morning, after reflecting on it, I have to give it a full 5 stars! Normally I reserve that distinction for a longstanding favorite, something I draw on over the years and reference often.
This is a unique, extremely well written gem of a book. Full disclosure: it is incredibly sad, in a very visceral way. It is also invigorating and intelligent, with lush description that clings to you throughout. I will give no spoilers, but when you read it you’ll realize there really can’t be any. What’s hidden in the pages is all heart wrenching and beautiful in equal measure, while still managing to be amusing in parts.
I have to consider this a very best kept secret of great books. Even in my book-selling years, I hadn’t come across it. It’s a masterpiece. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a unique, extremely well written gem of a book. Full disclosure: it is incredibly sad, in a very visceral way. It is also invigorating and intelligent, with lush description that clings to you throughout. I will give no spoilers, but when you read it you’ll realize there really can’t be any. What’s hidden in the pages is all heart wrenching and beautiful in equal measure, while still managing to be amusing in parts.
I have to consider this a very best kept secret of great books. Even in my book-selling years, I hadn’t come across it. It’s a masterpiece. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
jennikreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Murder and Alcohol