jubaju's review against another edition
2.0
I literally only just closed this book and I’ve already forgotten the man’s name. Suffice to say, he bored me to death. Doctor Whatshisface was an unremarkable, misogynistic asshole who only cared about Vita because she was beautiful.
He took pride in being rational, over all these hysterical females in his care, even though he let his emotions rule him and made very stupid decisions.
I would’ve much rather have read this book from Vita’s perspective. I mean, possibly murdered her step-son, pinned it on her husband, manipulated an entire hospital, mind tricks? Much more interesting than whatever angst Doctor Daddy Issues was going through.
The writing tried too hard to be true to a 1800s novel, but it was stunted and stuffy. The plot twist at the end was not so predictable, but bland. It was introduced by the author as a final bang but concluded the novel the same way it had been in its entirety: boring, long, and God! Why so much romance? Overall, giving this 2 stars purely for Vita.
He took pride in being rational, over all these hysterical females in his care, even though he let his emotions rule him and made very stupid decisions.
I would’ve much rather have read this book from Vita’s perspective. I mean, possibly murdered her step-son, pinned it on her husband, manipulated an entire hospital, mind tricks? Much more interesting than whatever angst Doctor Daddy Issues was going through.
The writing tried too hard to be true to a 1800s novel, but it was stunted and stuffy. The plot twist at the end was not so predictable, but bland. It was introduced by the author as a final bang but concluded the novel the same way it had been in its entirety: boring, long, and God! Why so much romance? Overall, giving this 2 stars purely for Vita.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel The Crow Garden
Gothic atmosphere, set in an asylum in the midst of the Yorkshire Moors….mesmerism in theatres in London? Well this couldn’t be more atmospheric if it tried. Having loved the Little People, I was keen to read this one and it’s a unique world Alison draws, thats for sure. She approaches the shockingly true story of how women could so easily be taken into asylums on the word of their husbands. The scenes – for this novel reads like a series of scenes dimly lit with the sound of candles crackling in your ear, are horrific and even disturbing.
The author also uses many literary references in the novel -with poets Brown and Byron being used to show each of the main characters personalities. The world of mesmerism is drawn with detailed and disturbing words and the overall effect for me was chilling, disturbing and a darn good gothic read.
emmaj_xo's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A creepy page-turner, definitely a good seasonal read for the cold and the damp. Definitely an unreliable narrator done right, though this would perhaps make the conclusion unsatisfying for some readers.
schez's review against another edition
3.0
Thoroughly entertaining- classic victorian feel.
Enjoyable narration. Think I may like to read it rather than listen next time.
Enjoyable narration. Think I may like to read it rather than listen next time.
kimchi84's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
carrie_a_t's review against another edition
2.0
I downloaded this as my first Audible book to get me though a 6 hour round drive. I love books about mental health, set in Yorkshire with a Victorian Gothic undertone so had high hopes for this.
I'm not sure if it was the book itself or the narration but I couldn't bring myself to put it back on for the return journey. The characters did not grab me and though it started off atmospheric after three hours it had lost all its appeal.
I'm not sure if it was the book itself or the narration but I couldn't bring myself to put it back on for the return journey. The characters did not grab me and though it started off atmospheric after three hours it had lost all its appeal.
hayleysbooks13's review against another edition
4.0
‘Then she said, ‘How much of a woman’s life, do you think, is spent being buried alive?’ She looked up at the bars laid over her window.’
The Crow Garden was intriguing from the outset, with lots of twists and turns and beautifully described scenery. In large chunks of the book, you have no idea what’s real, which makes the ending all the more interesting. Some plot lines can be guessed throughout, but there are so many parts to the story, there is a surprise in there for everyone.
I loved the association with Victorian-era asylums. I’m currently also reading a psychology book, The Madness of Prince Hamlet, and the two books crossed over sometimes, even though the psychology book is non-fiction, unlike The Crow Garden which is a historical fiction. Some of the ‘cures’ in The Crow Garden are what ‘hysteric’ people had to actually go through; including mesmerism, cold water therapy and phrenology. The real history throughout the book, made it all the more interesting for me.
The book is laced with diary entries and case notes for the patients, which I really enjoyed. It is really well written and I definitely recommend if you want a different, slightly confusing, historical drama.
4/5
‘And I saw the Crow Garden, each of it’s mounds hiding some poor unfortunate, each with a black crow perched at its head: a murder of crows.’
The Crow Garden was intriguing from the outset, with lots of twists and turns and beautifully described scenery. In large chunks of the book, you have no idea what’s real, which makes the ending all the more interesting. Some plot lines can be guessed throughout, but there are so many parts to the story, there is a surprise in there for everyone.
I loved the association with Victorian-era asylums. I’m currently also reading a psychology book, The Madness of Prince Hamlet, and the two books crossed over sometimes, even though the psychology book is non-fiction, unlike The Crow Garden which is a historical fiction. Some of the ‘cures’ in The Crow Garden are what ‘hysteric’ people had to actually go through; including mesmerism, cold water therapy and phrenology. The real history throughout the book, made it all the more interesting for me.
The book is laced with diary entries and case notes for the patients, which I really enjoyed. It is really well written and I definitely recommend if you want a different, slightly confusing, historical drama.
4/5
‘And I saw the Crow Garden, each of it’s mounds hiding some poor unfortunate, each with a black crow perched at its head: a murder of crows.’
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
1.0
Nathaniel Kerner arrives to take up a position as an alienist - doctor to the unfortunate at Crakethorne Asylum. He soon becomes entranced by a patient, Mrs Victoria Adelina Harleston, who is at the asylum because she tried to run away from her husband. When Mrs Harleston then accuses her husband of a terrible crime, Kerner knows he has to help her.
I'm still not sure what I just read. For the first half of the book it was shaping up to be an interesting gothic historical fiction with some supernatural elements, but it all went pear-shaped. The main character spent most of his time mooning around after Mrs Harleston, & interesting aspects, such as the murder Mrs Harleston accused her husband of, ultimately went nowhere, & led to the strangest conclusion I have ever read. It is a shame as it could have been so good.
I'm still not sure what I just read. For the first half of the book it was shaping up to be an interesting gothic historical fiction with some supernatural elements, but it all went pear-shaped. The main character spent most of his time mooning around after Mrs Harleston, & interesting aspects, such as the murder Mrs Harleston accused her husband of, ultimately went nowhere, & led to the strangest conclusion I have ever read. It is a shame as it could have been so good.