ratvibes's review against another edition
4.75
When trian is looking at the seal pup and thinking about how nature is a circular system…..WAAAH
Don’t know if I enjoyed reading this but it was masterful and I cried so much
Don’t know if I enjoyed reading this but it was masterful and I cried so much
jentee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
dystopia's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Body shaming, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
melc's review against another edition
4.0
This novel has all the hallmarks of what makes Donoghue so great. Her isolated tiny cast of characters, beautiful descriptive prose, and exploration of issues to do with faith, sexuality, truth, and identity.
This is almost fable-like novel discusses the prejudices of Church and religion contrasting them brilliantly with the dedicated faith of the pilgrims who set up religious communities on the islands of Ireland and Scotland. How deviation from the love, peace and honesty leads to corruption and bigotry.
Although this book is quite short it did drag a little in the second half, but it packs a powerful punch at the end.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
This is almost fable-like novel discusses the prejudices of Church and religion contrasting them brilliantly with the dedicated faith of the pilgrims who set up religious communities on the islands of Ireland and Scotland. How deviation from the love, peace and honesty leads to corruption and bigotry.
Although this book is quite short it did drag a little in the second half, but it packs a powerful punch at the end.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
larebe's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
4.5
Emma Donoghue never disappoints in her ability to immerse you completely in a place and time. Slow start but captivating writing and the ending I wanted.
fagankelli's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I'm fascinated by the so called Hiberno-Scottish mission and the different monks as they play a relevan role in the culture of Dark Ages and produce masterpiece like the Book of Kell.
This is a slow paced book but I don't expect a action packed story when it comes to monks. There's the story, the historical background, and there's food for thought.
I loved this book and I will surely read it again.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is a slow paced book but I don't expect a action packed story when it comes to monks. There's the story, the historical background, and there's food for thought.
I loved this book and I will surely read it again.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
mattatwood's review against another edition
2.5
Not sure why I kept reading, except that I'm always intrigued by religious fanaticism and sacrifice, faith and doubt. In the end, my slogging through was like the monks' slogging through, which lent an interesting point of comparison. I liked the end, but it makes me wonder how much me and the monks changed through the experience.
altc's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75