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trudecal's review against another edition
3.0
This was up and down for me. In some chapters the writing was really beautiful, in others not so much. I probably had a tougher time with this because I found it hard to empathize with the main character/narrator, who's a classic "fainting couch" girl of the Victorian era. But McMahon's depiction of the Crimean War is wonderfully drawn.
john_bizzell's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thelaurasaurus's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this a surprising amount considering the narrator was such a dullard.
bookshy's review against another edition
3.0
This one definitely had its flaws but overall it was a good read. For the first half of the book the main character is not my favorite. Just the type of typical repressed English girl that they should not write books about. The second half sees her character evolve a bit and is less annoying.
georgieporgiepudding's review against another edition
5.0
I found at first I struggled to get on with the protagonist, but that was likely the point. Then I fell in love with this book. I think about it all the time. Wonderful
lizjane's review against another edition
2.0
Historical mystery and romance set during the Crimean War. Rosa Barr is a British young woman with an interest in nursing. Her best friend and cousin, Mariella, is more of a traditional well-off Londoner. Mariella's distant cousin and love interest, Henry, might not be who he seems to me.
I read this because of the Crimean War setting, but that wasn't enough for me to really like it. Other Goodreads reviewers loved it though, so maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this book.
I read this because of the Crimean War setting, but that wasn't enough for me to really like it. Other Goodreads reviewers loved it though, so maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this book.
alissabar's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this historical novel set during the Crimean War. I really knew practically nothing about that war before reading this book. It was frustrating to read about the medical procedures of the time and know that years later our knowledge of medicine would be improved and so many of those men would have been saved. I liked the personal change that Mariella, the main character, made throughout the book. I felt the book had an abrupt ending and I was left wanting more. I have had to imagine what future the characters might have had.
lucysmith13's review against another edition
4.0
Pop Sugar Challenge 2020 prompt: A book with a main character in their 20s
I've tried to read The Rose of Sebastopol twice before. I don't think not being able to get into it previously is a comment on the book itself, but probably that I wasn't in the mood for it, or maybe just didn't connect with the characters as much as I do now. Thankfully, I kept hold of it and tried again, and very much enjoyed it.
As we all know, I love historical fiction, particularly when it's rooted in fact. The Rose of Sebastopol was a fascinating insight into the Crimean War, focusing on the effects of the conflict on the lives of two young British women: Mariella and Rosa. Mariella is a quiet and demure young woman, quite a contrast to her passionate and outspoken cousin Rosa. When Rosa and her mother are forced to come and stay with Mariella and her family, Mariella is delighted at the prospect of the company, yet terrified of dealing with Rosa's spontaneity. Rosa's move to London sets in motion a series of events which will take them both beyond the comforts of home, from the scorching heat of Italy to the muddy fields of Crimea, where their loyalty and resilience is tested.
The writing style of the novel was absorbing and quite easy to read, although I did occasionally get a little impatient to return to the present day when we kept delving into Mariella and Rosa's childhood (which was interesting enough, but the present action was more compelling to read). I loved the inclusion of the Florence Nightingale nurses and Mary Seacole's hospital, as these really grounded the book. A fascinating story of war which wasn't all soldiers and battlefields, and a very interesting time period!
I've tried to read The Rose of Sebastopol twice before. I don't think not being able to get into it previously is a comment on the book itself, but probably that I wasn't in the mood for it, or maybe just didn't connect with the characters as much as I do now. Thankfully, I kept hold of it and tried again, and very much enjoyed it.
As we all know, I love historical fiction, particularly when it's rooted in fact. The Rose of Sebastopol was a fascinating insight into the Crimean War, focusing on the effects of the conflict on the lives of two young British women: Mariella and Rosa. Mariella is a quiet and demure young woman, quite a contrast to her passionate and outspoken cousin Rosa. When Rosa and her mother are forced to come and stay with Mariella and her family, Mariella is delighted at the prospect of the company, yet terrified of dealing with Rosa's spontaneity. Rosa's move to London sets in motion a series of events which will take them both beyond the comforts of home, from the scorching heat of Italy to the muddy fields of Crimea, where their loyalty and resilience is tested.
The writing style of the novel was absorbing and quite easy to read, although I did occasionally get a little impatient to return to the present day when we kept delving into Mariella and Rosa's childhood (which was interesting enough, but the present action was more compelling to read). I loved the inclusion of the Florence Nightingale nurses and Mary Seacole's hospital, as these really grounded the book. A fascinating story of war which wasn't all soldiers and battlefields, and a very interesting time period!
jadestar's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. loved the characters. Didn't think the book was chunked up in a beneficial way. A great book to break up the long line of thrillers I've read. Disliked the ended. Frustratingly begging for a conclusion that didn't quite come
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
The best one of Katherine McMahon's that I have read so far, I wasn't that impressed with her earlier work. This is a good story set in Florence Nightingales time with the Crimean war raging. Very interested in this period of history and enjoyed the characters in the story.