Reviews

Waterland by Graham Swift

sarah_nera's review against another edition

2.0

This book was like the landscape described within - swampy and a slog. There were moments where I really liked it, and wanted so much to love it, but in the end I was only left with a desire for a beer.

aliwhaley's review against another edition

I really enjoyed the writing, and I liked the narrator-centric plot line of

the body found in the river

but the 1800s industrialism was just too boring and I wasn’t sure what the point of it was. It’s presented as background, not as a plot of its own to be cared about and invested in. And then it goes on for pages and pages.

I gave it 100 pages but ultimately I just didn’t feel like picking this book up, so I stopped 

messymortal's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest

bridieeflorence's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

vickywong710's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

3.0

lilyfmnelson's review against another edition

foundnthe description of teenage sexuality tooooooo much

alfredo8r's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

martinprobson's review against another edition

4.0

Great book that gets darker and darker as the story unfolds.
The Fens location (where most of the story is set) is very well evoked, to the point where it almost becomes another character in the book.

iancarpenter's review against another edition

5.0

an all time favourite from way back.

philosykos's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75