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migavoh's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ch_rks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
blueberry31's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty good read, can't say it was a page turner but it was definitely intriguing. I enjoy a good historical fiction (I guess this can be considered as one) and I really enjoyed having real articles and testimonials from the actual trial between each chapter.
Grace's story is a bit of a mystery, and given her guilt was never really proved nor disproved, the book is a bit like that too. I think you need to go into this book not expecting many things to be resolved - this is more of a journey through Grace's mind. Her guilt is something that you can make your mind about yourself (or not), just like any other person did back then, and just like any character in the book - because you are given all of the bits and pieces, but you are not given much of a conclusion.
I also love Atwood's books because they always shine a light on women's rights and issues. This book is no different, it explores these topics in a very smart subtle way, as usual.
Overall a good read, though slightly long given the lack of closure you get from it, I will watch the Netflix series just to see what they made of it!
Grace's story is a bit of a mystery, and given her guilt was never really proved nor disproved, the book is a bit like that too. I think you need to go into this book not expecting many things to be resolved - this is more of a journey through Grace's mind. Her guilt is something that you can make your mind about yourself (or not), just like any other person did back then, and just like any character in the book - because you are given all of the bits and pieces, but you are not given much of a conclusion.
I also love Atwood's books because they always shine a light on women's rights and issues. This book is no different, it explores these topics in a very smart subtle way, as usual.
Overall a good read, though slightly long given the lack of closure you get from it, I will watch the Netflix series just to see what they made of it!
hmelton172's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
summerrains's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
read this for class. didn’t really enjoy it.
the concept is fun but i think the interview/ flash back style in which it was told wasn’t for me and lost my attention. the drama is there and the mystery of whether or not grace is telling the truth is fun but i don’t think it was necessary for this book to be over 400 pages.
the concept is fun but i think the interview/ flash back style in which it was told wasn’t for me and lost my attention. the drama is there and the mystery of whether or not grace is telling the truth is fun but i don’t think it was necessary for this book to be over 400 pages.
olive_oile's review against another edition
4.75
Margaret Atwood is incredible. And I’m always going to love a based on a true story book, it just makes it so much more interesting
mcbibliotecaria's review against another edition
5.0
Dangggggg Atwood. Writing so well you swear it was written at the time period fictionalized.
mirandabadab's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sulaco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
katiescho741's review against another edition
4.0
*Some Light Spoilers*
The first time I read this book I was in my late teens and I don't think I was able to fully appreciate the subtlety of it. I think watching the Netflix show has added to my reading experience; the look and feel of the time period especially.
This is not a standard crime fiction novel because we never find out whodunit or why they did it...even though we know James McDermott shot Mr Kinnear, we're never 100% sure if it was just to avoid detection, from general hatred of his master, or whether it was jealously over Grace. There is so much we don't know and yet the knowing isn't the point of the story. This was what I didn't understand when I read it the first time; I kept reading to find out the answers, and I was left unsatisfied because there weren't any. This time, the intricacies of the contradicting stories and ideas are what makes the novel compelling.
Grace tells her tale to Dr Jordan and, although we know she's holding some things back from him, we don't even know if she's telling him the truth. Dr Jordan is the educated doctor and yet he comes across to us as a bit silly, while Grace, a lowborn house servant convicted of murder, comes across as calm, smart, and knowing. We get the feeling she's playing a game with him, such as feigning ignorance when Dr Jordan brings in vegetables or asks leading questions, or wants to know about her dreams.
Grace is either completely innocent and just got tangled up in a house full of negative feelings, OR she's a sly and clever temptress who manipulated two men and murdered a women out of spite.
This book says a lot about the ideas about women in the early 19th Century-innocent victim or sinful harlot? There isn't really anything in between.
The first time I read this book I was in my late teens and I don't think I was able to fully appreciate the subtlety of it. I think watching the Netflix show has added to my reading experience; the look and feel of the time period especially.
This is not a standard crime fiction novel because we never find out whodunit or why they did it...even though we know James McDermott shot Mr Kinnear, we're never 100% sure if it was just to avoid detection, from general hatred of his master, or whether it was jealously over Grace. There is so much we don't know and yet the knowing isn't the point of the story. This was what I didn't understand when I read it the first time; I kept reading to find out the answers, and I was left unsatisfied because there weren't any. This time, the intricacies of the contradicting stories and ideas are what makes the novel compelling.
Grace tells her tale to Dr Jordan and, although we know she's holding some things back from him, we don't even know if she's telling him the truth. Dr Jordan is the educated doctor and yet he comes across to us as a bit silly, while Grace, a lowborn house servant convicted of murder, comes across as calm, smart, and knowing. We get the feeling she's playing a game with him, such as feigning ignorance when Dr Jordan brings in vegetables or asks leading questions, or wants to know about her dreams.
Grace is either completely innocent and just got tangled up in a house full of negative feelings, OR she's a sly and clever temptress who manipulated two men and murdered a women out of spite.
This book says a lot about the ideas about women in the early 19th Century-innocent victim or sinful harlot? There isn't really anything in between.