lese_ratte's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shahrun's review against another edition
4.0
I was throughly hooked all the way through this one. So many plot twists (a few I guessed and many I was desperate to know the out come of), amazing locations (an English country estate, the South of France and Thailand), made this a real absorbing page turner. I'd love to read more by this author.u
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
I thought this book was lovely, very easy to read with multiple stories running through which work very well as the pieces start to come together. I found myself really rooting for some characters and despising others.
cooeeaus's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful novel full of twists and turns. An epic read covering generations of family history. Moving from England to Asia and back again over eight decades, this is pure indulgence. I read this in one day, I couldn't put it down, a testament to the writer's talents.
I will definitely read more of Lucinda's novels.
I will definitely read more of Lucinda's novels.
fiiicoooo's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
beatricetheoxfordclerk's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
anniina's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
hollylynna's review
5.0
Great books for fans of Kate Morton. I loved the story going back and forth between the present day and WWII, from cold England to the steamy climate in Thailand. Still thinking about these characters.
dreamofbookspines's review
3.0
This is what good historical fiction is to me: the weaving together of the past and the present. I read a couple other reviews that all complained it was cliched. Of course it's cliche: most historical fiction is! It's about the past! The past is full of cliches; where do you think they come from?
Seriously though, I don't think it's a poorly written book. I think it's a fairly intricate family story that pulls the threads of past and present together rather seamlessly. It reminds me of Carol Goodman's stuff in its' intricacy, plus Kate Morton in the historical fiction aspect, with a dash of Alice Hoffman's "The Red Garden". I keep guessing at what's next. It's a meandering story, maybe not good for reading in a single sitting, but excellent for putting down and picking back up frequently. (The chapters are short enough to allow for this.) And the story isn't difficult to remember. Characters are distinct enough to keep track of.
I sound like I'm singing its' praises. So why three stars instead of four? Or five? I guess precisely because it's a meandering book: I wouldn't be able to read it any other way than the constant picking up and putting down. The story is delicious in its' focus on a single family, and I think it's interesting that she wove in both servants and the nobility sides of it. But it isn't an exciting book. It's good, but not great.
*last 20% of the book* Ok, now I can see where the cliche complaints come from. Someone comes back from the dead? Please. Leave that shit for soap operas. Also now it becomes clear to me the problem with this book is that PEOPLE DON'T FUCKING TALK TO EACH OTHER. Just talk to her! Talk to him! What the hell? It's not difficult to make a damn phone call. Seriously. Get your shit together [characters].
It wraps up far too nicely in a pretty little bow at the end, but overall it was still enjoyable, well-woven-together historical fiction.
Seriously though, I don't think it's a poorly written book. I think it's a fairly intricate family story that pulls the threads of past and present together rather seamlessly. It reminds me of Carol Goodman's stuff in its' intricacy, plus Kate Morton in the historical fiction aspect, with a dash of Alice Hoffman's "The Red Garden". I keep guessing at what's next. It's a meandering story, maybe not good for reading in a single sitting, but excellent for putting down and picking back up frequently. (The chapters are short enough to allow for this.) And the story isn't difficult to remember. Characters are distinct enough to keep track of.
I sound like I'm singing its' praises. So why three stars instead of four? Or five? I guess precisely because it's a meandering book: I wouldn't be able to read it any other way than the constant picking up and putting down. The story is delicious in its' focus on a single family, and I think it's interesting that she wove in both servants and the nobility sides of it. But it isn't an exciting book. It's good, but not great.
*last 20% of the book* Ok, now I can see where the cliche complaints come from. Someone comes back from the dead? Please. Leave that shit for soap operas. Also now it becomes clear to me the problem with this book is that PEOPLE DON'T FUCKING TALK TO EACH OTHER. Just talk to her! Talk to him! What the hell? It's not difficult to make a damn phone call. Seriously. Get your shit together [characters].
It wraps up far too nicely in a pretty little bow at the end, but overall it was still enjoyable, well-woven-together historical fiction.
strapmatey's review against another edition
bis auf Bill sind alle männlichen Charaktere wandelnde Red Flags