wendydt's review against another edition
5.0
Over the last few years I have been reading my Ruth Rendell books in chronological order. All complete this is my first Barbara Vine. What a treat. I could see the style coming through in the Rendell books which explains why her switch to Vine was so well executed. The story plods along with little time bombs of information. Each character beautifully formed from a jigsaw of the comments and reactions. I first read this book in 1991 but didn't remember anything about it and it was a pleasure to read it as if it were new.
melpen's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second reading. I just love the way this story unfolds.
staticdisplay's review against another edition
4.0
so interesting to present the story of a murderer (this thing which becomes the defining aspect of any person when applied) through an examination of her most banal activities and relationships. also preserves the social norms/overall moment in history (during and shortly after WWII). also a very sad story.
*the descriptions of aging are horrendous, particularly with women, although the men aren't spared. not sure if this was some kind of social commentary or an expression of the author's own relationship with aging seeping through.
*the descriptions of aging are horrendous, particularly with women, although the men aren't spared. not sure if this was some kind of social commentary or an expression of the author's own relationship with aging seeping through.
dixiemac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
passifloraincarnata's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fantastic! A brutal character-study of a murder mystery. The first I have ever read with the mystery so thoroughly inverted: we start knowing who the murderer is, and then spend half the book getting around to who was killed! Only then do we embark on the motives. Set during and after WWII near London, explored through the youthful memories of a now-mature character with her own biases. Gripping all the way through, and brilliantly written.
periwinklethoughts's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
The first few chapters are very boring but I stuck with it and it got better and better as the book went on. It is a mystery focused more on reading between the lines as family drama unfolds. The writing is reflective and readable. Characters are very believable and as fleshed out as someone can be without going directly into their thoughts. (If she did then there would be no mystery) motivations, truths, and lies are for the reader to infer.
siria's review against another edition
4.0
Faith Severn’s aunt was hanged for murder shortly after World War Two. Forty years later, an author decides to write a book about the infamous Vera Hillyard, and Faith is forced to revisit some of her family’s long-held secrets. This is therefore a whydunnit, not a who/howdunnit. I found much of the “present day” parts of the book to be slow going, and particularly in the early part it was really difficult to keep who was who straight. (We meet multiple generations of a family with various remarriages, half siblings, etc.)
However, the psychological elements of the book—Faith’s reminiscences about Vera and other family members—are masterfully done, and the evocation of a lower-middle-class family 1940s England really engaging.
However, the psychological elements of the book—Faith’s reminiscences about Vera and other family members—are masterfully done, and the evocation of a lower-middle-class family 1940s England really engaging.
cariadreads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0