jlmreader's review against another edition
4.0
First, if you don't want to learn a lot about eucalyptus trees, don't read this book. It's a story about people and about trees. I picked it up because I happen to love eucalyptus, but I did find the details wearing in parts. The other story, about the actual people, was good. I hope to reread it sometime to see how the tree descriptions relate to the plotting about the people, something I didn't focus on in the first read.
amy_heferen's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
nlgn's review against another edition
2.0
Some gorgeous writing, but a story as tedious and dreary as a field of wheat stubble.
bookpossum's review against another edition
5.0
This was a reread for me and I loved it just as much as I did some years ago when I first read it. Funny and charming - it is entrancing. I can't recommend it highly enough.
mjchamplin's review against another edition
4.0
A nice meandering narrative which feels at times like a fairy tale set among the gum trees. I enjoyed this book, though it didn't captivate me as much as I hoped it would. I read the book thanks to its inclusion in Jane Alison's "Meander, Spiral, Explode" — the book follows a somewhat unorthodox narrative structure, much of its bulk devoted to the retelling of stories that are seemingly unrelated to the main narrative. I loved the framing device of the Gum trees; each chapter themed after one of the many varieties with so many latin names and botanical backstories. There's a tone to this book that matches the sunshine and lazy heat of its setting in Southeastern Australia (the audiobook narration contributed as well, no doubt). The descriptions of Ellen's trips to her private swimming hole made me ache to have a dip in the cool water myself.
Ellen's nearly legendary beauty lies at the core of the narrative, but I appreciate Bail's restraint in his objectification; he describes her freckled skin and the shape of her body in ways that acknowledge the persistence of the male gaze while maintaining her humanity and agency. Here is a beauty locked in a tower, in a sense, but one who has her own desires and wants and is sickened by her father's old-fashioned (albeit unorthadox) method for finding her a suitor.
Toward the end of the narrative it became at times difficult to remember whether I was listening to the story or the story-within-a-story, but I appreciate that such a fragmented narrative managed to coalesce, fairly quickly, into a satisfying ending.
As a side-note, I long for a 3.5 stars option.
Ellen's nearly legendary beauty lies at the core of the narrative, but I appreciate Bail's restraint in his objectification; he describes her freckled skin and the shape of her body in ways that acknowledge the persistence of the male gaze while maintaining her humanity and agency. Here is a beauty locked in a tower, in a sense, but one who has her own desires and wants and is sickened
Spoiler
(literally, as the case may be)Toward the end of the narrative it became at times difficult to remember whether I was listening to the story or the story-within-a-story, but I appreciate that such a fragmented narrative managed to coalesce, fairly quickly, into a satisfying ending.
As a side-note, I long for a 3.5 stars option.
kiks396's review against another edition
3.0
I learnt more about the different types of eucalypti than I thought possible. Interesting modern day fairytale. Struggled to follow at times with the constant changing POVs.
kathleenes's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I first read this book for an English class at university. They made me buy it! And I didn’t like it then.
However I decided I had changed since then, I might like it the second time around.
The answer is no. It is dull and ridiculous! It’s misogynistic and sexist. It’s racist too.
I would not recommend this book
However I decided I had changed since then, I might like it the second time around.
The answer is no. It is dull and ridiculous! It’s misogynistic and sexist. It’s racist too.
I would not recommend this book
tink's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely story, although I found it slightly difficult to follow at times. I was intending to give this 4 stars right up until the disappointing ending!
heledela's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Beautiful prose
qofdnz's review against another edition
4.0
My interpretation of this book is that it is, at heart, a love story. In fact multiple love stories. It is confusing to begin with but it all ties together towards the end. No, it is not written in a straight forward manner but nor is it hard to read. It flows poetically. I may never look at a Eucalyptus the same way again.