gracey8's review against another edition
3.0
I've finally delved into the world of Austen! I really enjoyed this one, and although the language/setting was harder to picture for me than other books, I found that I was able to grasp the naivety, longing, and cunning nature of the characters pretty well. I loved how obvious and innocent Catherine was, and am confident that, now having read an Austen book, I'll have an easier time with future ones. :)
(I also found it helped to read the physical book while the audiobook is playing too. The inflection of the narrator was great!)
(I also found it helped to read the physical book while the audiobook is playing too. The inflection of the narrator was great!)
sofisofsos's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.75
madeleine_jo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.75
**spoilers**
The Good:
Jane Austen is such a wonderful writer of character, especially that of young women. This book made me think about how shockingly similar people have always been. It writes the joys and sorrows and anxieties of every young girl in vivid color. You feel the societal frustrations viscerally— the repulsion at some people, the draw towards others. It also has a rather ironic and self aware tone throughout which definitely adds to the fun.
The Bad:
I just don’t think we got the payoff we deserved. You sit through a lot of frustration in this book. The annoyances and scenes in this book are related in what could be called agonizing detail. I don’t think this is a bad thing. In some places it’s a testament to Austen’s marvelous precision. But it does build TENSION. Tension with a payoff would be great. I was expecting a plot twist (I was convinced the General wanted to marry Catherine) or if not that at least a scene of loving confession between the heroine and her hero. I though Henry a little mysterious and so was hoping for more to be revealed about his character. So I was disappointed when their engagement scene was ‘told rather than shown’.
The Good:
Jane Austen is such a wonderful writer of character, especially that of young women. This book made me think about how shockingly similar people have always been. It writes the joys and sorrows and anxieties of every young girl in vivid color. You feel the societal frustrations viscerally— the repulsion at some people, the draw towards others. It also has a rather ironic and self aware tone throughout which definitely adds to the fun.
The Bad:
I just don’t think we got the payoff we deserved. You sit through a lot of frustration in this book. The annoyances and scenes in this book are related in what could be called agonizing detail. I don’t think this is a bad thing. In some places it’s a testament to Austen’s marvelous precision. But it does build TENSION. Tension with a payoff would be great. I was expecting a plot twist (I was convinced the General wanted to marry Catherine) or if not that at least a scene of loving confession between the heroine and her hero. I though Henry a little mysterious and so was hoping for more to be revealed about his character. So I was disappointed when their engagement scene was ‘told rather than shown’.
east_west_home_is_best's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
benoliver's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.0
mrears0_0's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
interesting for playing with the narrative style & dabbling in gothic, not much for me beyond that
jackieeejw's review against another edition
3.25
First 100 pages are very dull, but it really picks up for a riveting third act that packs some great commentary on class and the gothic novel! Still, not exactly the fireworks I was hoping from my first Austen.
gowthami_kandhasamy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
taylorelm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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