Reviews

The Invention of Dr Cake, by Andrew Motion

flappermyrtle's review against another edition

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2.0

So our teacher kind of spoiled the crux of the story before I started reading. This significantly lessened my interest in the book, and I mosly read on because of a sense of duty rather than excitement. However, the idea is fascinating, but the story could have been much more in my opinion.

jules607's review

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emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.0

roosmarleen's review

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3.0

I knew on page 53.

This was a very interesting little book. At times, however, I really had to remind myself that Tabor is not Motion and that the whole story might be a complete fiction. I must say I am still not sure where this book stands in terms of historical accuracy. Regardless, I enjoyed the suspense and Tabor's description of Cake. The awe Tabor obviously feels in witnessing Cake's grand personality added a certain enchantment to his retellings that influenced my reading for the better.

I do not think of this as a book that I will read over and over again, but I am very glad to have read it (not least for the questions it asks of biography and fiction as larger concepts). I recommend this short read to anyone with an interest in biography, the Romantic poets or any interest in language at all.

unevendays's review

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4.0

I wasn't sure what to make of this. I did enjoy it, but I'm not sure I would read it again. The idea was an interesting one, perhaps a little self-indulgent but quite a neat little plot.
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