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novella42's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I picked it up again this year in the delicious audiobook format, savoring it slowly to really appreciate the lyrical writing and elaborate plotline.
I described to my friends what an impact it had made on me and a friend of mine who is trans said he had had his own epiphanies with it, too. We both agreed we were very glad to have stumbled onto it when we did.
The historical aspects of the book are written with such rich attention to detail, especially the nuances of fashion, gender, and sexuality. It's made me want to set my own current WIP at the same time period. I just want to immerse myself in it again and again.
Also, this might be a strange thing to appreciate, but (mild spoilers about the protagonist's personality)
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism and Miscarriage
marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage and Racism
leahrenz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The initial, heady falling-in-love of the main character is also wonderfully described. I further loved being plunged into 1880s London show biz! I would highly recommend this read for any lovers of romance, historical fiction or just a well-written, well-paced book.
"Boys stood drinking at the doors of public-houses, their pomaded heads gleaming, in the gas-light, like silk. The moon hung low above the roofs of Soho, pink and bright and swollen as a Chinese lantern. One or two starts winked viciously alongside it."
"She stood there for what seemed to be a small eternity; then her arm came up, the flower flashed for a second in the beam of the lime - and my own hand, trembling, rose to catch it. The crowd gave a broad, indulgent cheer of pleasure, and a laugh."
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Mental illness and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs
vanadiumbean's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse