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essjay1's review against another edition
3.0
This book would make a great movie. I enjoyed lots of aspects - the history, the descriptions of the art and the writing is good.
rojaed's review against another edition
4.0
I think I bought this book by mistake, instead of getting a sample. It’s perfectly ok, but neither gripping nor illuminating
quaintrelle_chantelle's review against another edition
3.0
I really struggled to persevere with this book. The content was well written & the story itself was interesting enough, but it just took a painfully long time to get to the point. I kept pushing through because I expected that when I got to the important bit I’d be a bit more... blown away... sadly, I was underwhelmed.
rumore's review
5.0
I'm so pleased that I picked this book up. I wanted to read a novel mostly set in Geelong, because I moved here only recently, and I knew nothing else about this book or the author. I was blown away. I loved it and I loved the way Ruby Murray constructs a story. I can't wait to read more of her fiction.
asktheletters's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
stellarlies's review against another edition
4.0
I happened to find this book by chance; it was left behind by a traveller in a homestay in Kochi, and I was the next one to pick it up.
The meeting was romantic of sorts, and the reading was too.
It's not a romance book, it shows us what gets lost in translation as the author decides what to edit out and what to leave in.
It talks about Australia, the wars and the impact it leaves behind on the people.
A quick read, but a slow build up till the end.
The meeting was romantic of sorts, and the reading was too.
It's not a romance book, it shows us what gets lost in translation as the author decides what to edit out and what to leave in.
It talks about Australia, the wars and the impact it leaves behind on the people.
A quick read, but a slow build up till the end.
watermelonprose's review against another edition
3.0
I’m a Geelong local and loved the Geelong references! It was a quick, enjoyable read. The short chapters were great! I found myself not caring about Ednas chapters I felt myself skimming through because I didn’t care as much as the Biographers chapters. If you’re from Geelong definitely give it a go! If you love reading about art and Australia war history then this would be for you
wtb_michael's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliantly constructed novel about art, legacy, family and truth. Murray writes sharp and compelling prose and has put together a fascinating story that got right into my brain. I smashed through it in a day.
indoorg1rl's review
5.0
I stumbled across this book while searching for a contemporary fiction set in Melbourne (to my surprise, I found it more difficult than I'd expected). It was a refreshing experience for me to be able to recognise suburb names and places, streets, methods of transport, schools.
The book was a love story for Geelong. The plot, narrative, dialogue and atmosphere really surpassed my expectation - I really didn't expect to fall in love with the book the way I did. Both main characters, the painter and the biographer, were done really well. Although they never met and their lives happened at different timelines, they traced similar paths - survival, adversities, families.
I really appreciated the writing choices the author made. One in particular, where she gave the readers glimpses of the future while talking about the different 'presents'. The plot line time setting alternated between Edna's time (20s, 30s, 40s, 60s) and the biographer's time (1992-1994), told from the perspective of the biographer in the future (2010). This unique style was perfect for the book.
Last but not least, I really liked the way the paintings were described. It was really due to the author's expertise in using the right words that vivid images were conjured in the readers' mind and the paintings came alive. Here's an example:
It was a journey reading this book. I'm so glad I accidentally found it.
The book was a love story for Geelong. The plot, narrative, dialogue and atmosphere really surpassed my expectation - I really didn't expect to fall in love with the book the way I did. Both main characters, the painter and the biographer, were done really well. Although they never met and their lives happened at different timelines, they traced similar paths - survival, adversities, families.
I really appreciated the writing choices the author made. One in particular, where she gave the readers glimpses of the future while talking about the different 'presents'. The plot line time setting alternated between Edna's time (20s, 30s, 40s, 60s) and the biographer's time (1992-1994), told from the perspective of the biographer in the future (2010). This unique style was perfect for the book.
Last but not least, I really liked the way the paintings were described. It was really due to the author's expertise in using the right words that vivid images were conjured in the readers' mind and the paintings came alive. Here's an example:
I just got it.
Loose sketches of Geelong, of the sea baths at Eastern Beach; of Max, as a younger man, bent over a desk, head in his hands, or stretched half naked on a camp bed, his deformed legs two twists of tissue and bone. Sketches of children, maybe her own, with shell-like backs, fragile ankles, squatting at the high tideline. Boys playing football, racing around hastily pencilled fields.
It was a journey reading this book. I'm so glad I accidentally found it.