Reviews

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell

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aimeeb96's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

awoodhouse's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad 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

3.5

The format of this book was really interesting. Readers learn a lot more about Daniel from chapters written from another character’s perspective than those written from his 1st person. O’Farrell has such a talent for writing realistic, multi-dimensional characters that readers genuinely care about, and her ability to convey emotion makes her books hard to put down. However, sometimes the jumping timeline was hard to follow, and some of the chapters from outside perspectives seemed unnecessary.

haleypadilla's review against another edition

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Stopped paying attention and then wasn't really sure what was happening with 8 hours left.

clh714's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition

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5.0

“What redemption there is in being loved…” -Maggie O’Farrell, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

I have incidentally stumbled into a series of books that (at least in part) reflect on the rich interconnectedness of people and the way our lives and decisions and histories don’t belong only to us, but also to the people we love and are closest to. I’m taken with the notion and the way it — at least to me — reveals both our significance and our smallness at the very same time.

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE by Maggie O’Farrell is my most recent read on that theme. First, I must tell you that I still think about her HAMNET about once a week. That book lives rent-free in my head, and I have a feeling this novel of hers will too. THIS MUST BE THE PLACE spans decades, continents, jumps perspectives each chapter, is written in third person, first person, and even dips into second person for a segment. One chapter consists entirely of an auction catalogue that is just the most clever embodiment of “show don’t tell” I think I’ve ever encountered.

For me, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is that perfect alchemy of art and enjoyment in which one doesn’t sacrifice the other. It’s beautiful and rich while still being entertaining and approachable.

heerhendry's review against another edition

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5.0

the storytelling and writing techniques in this were so so captivating. i think i looked up like 90 words if i’m being honest. the different perspectives written in different voices but telling one story was unique to read.
i think at times it felt a bit slow because the diff perspectives would talk about their lives instead of the ‘main’ story but i didn’t let that take away any stars because i was still invested in the characters and thought there was value in the perspectives!
glad i read ◡̈