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misshoneybug's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful book, it made me think about how vulnerable humans are, not just to their natural surroundings, but to actions and emotions of people around them. In the end, we all need something to believe in, something that gives our life purpose or someone who is there beside us in mind and body.
I love how the story gives you a bit information or story behind the actions of the characters. I found it hard to blame them and stopped pointing fingers after realizing that everything was an entangled mess of actions and justified reactions, from vicious cycles as well as external influences.
There is so much truth in this book, so many real life struggles, that the theme of the drought became my only reminder that this is a work of fiction.
I love how the story gives you a bit information or story behind the actions of the characters. I found it hard to blame them and stopped pointing fingers after realizing that everything was an entangled mess of actions and justified reactions, from vicious cycles as well as external influences.
There is so much truth in this book, so many real life struggles, that the theme of the drought became my only reminder that this is a work of fiction.
gaellesinge4's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
stacemiddleton's review against another edition
4.0
This book, whilst slow in parts, surprised me. I had my mind set that the murderer was none other than Angie herself. Amelia seemed far too obvious for me. Still I found the book really well written. It's seemed unresolved to me why Angie caused a distraction to let her son's killer in to have her reveal moment with Ruth.
Not my favourite, but a good read
Not my favourite, but a good read
lydslikestea's review against another edition
3.0
Bleak subject matter (dead of a child), frustrating narrative structure - told in the first person, in the form of recall of memories. Information is slowly disclosed and the reader has to piece together bits from the main character's memory. I found this irritating at first, but towards the end was rewarded. The language is intricate and captivating though, which kept me going despite the grimness of the tale and dis-likeable nature of all of the main characters (except the drug addict daughter, who turns out is the most kind hearted).
I wouldn't read again, nor recommend it, but glad I finished it.
I wouldn't read again, nor recommend it, but glad I finished it.
katykelly's review
4.0
Deep, dark with water at the heart... The Well is an assured debut.
In a time we could easily imagine, drought is rife, no rain has fallen for months. Middle-aged couple Ruth and Mark decide to start a new life in the country, on a farm, as Mark has always dreamed. Ruth's heart isn't quite as taken with the idea, but she helps to make the farm a success. But it's not just their hard work that makes The Well thrive - somehow, it's the only place in the country where rain still falls and the earth is fertile... Which causes several very different reactions, from local resentment to religious fervour.
Told from the present by a Ruth who has been incarcerated for murder and released back to The Well under supervision and restriction, she looks back on the life she and Mark led that brought her to house arrest. Her daughter and grandson, as well as a group of very compelling nuns all descend on The Well, and Ruth's thoughts constantly bring her back to the mistakes made, and the knowledge about the past she seeks for her own peace.
Someone died at The Well, it's not a big secret as it is revealed early on, but much of the plot revolves around Ruth aching to solve the mystery of who the murderer is, and why. The story builds up a picture of life on a farm blessed with plenty while around them the rest of the world watches resentfully and simmering.
Very tense, though I guessed the murderer and the cause early on. Ruth and Lucien (her grandson) are the only characters that I really held any sympathy for. Mark felt a bit of a loose cannon, Ruth's daughter Angie, addict and traveller, I didn't like very much, and the nuns and the Rose Cult they push into Ruth's home, creepy and bizarre. But still I read on, and found I enjoyed.
It's a thriller of sorts, though more a slow-burner of a family drama. The past/present narrator is well-handled and never confusing, and I loved the idea of the world suffering from drought and Chanter's vision of how humanity would react.
I did want to know, and never felt we got an answer, as to WHY The Well enjoys rain and bloom. It's a question that the book doesn't answer. You do get a solved mystery, and a fascinating dystopia though.
Review of a Goodreads giveaway copy.
In a time we could easily imagine, drought is rife, no rain has fallen for months. Middle-aged couple Ruth and Mark decide to start a new life in the country, on a farm, as Mark has always dreamed. Ruth's heart isn't quite as taken with the idea, but she helps to make the farm a success. But it's not just their hard work that makes The Well thrive - somehow, it's the only place in the country where rain still falls and the earth is fertile... Which causes several very different reactions, from local resentment to religious fervour.
Told from the present by a Ruth who has been incarcerated for murder and released back to The Well under supervision and restriction, she looks back on the life she and Mark led that brought her to house arrest. Her daughter and grandson, as well as a group of very compelling nuns all descend on The Well, and Ruth's thoughts constantly bring her back to the mistakes made, and the knowledge about the past she seeks for her own peace.
Someone died at The Well, it's not a big secret as it is revealed early on, but much of the plot revolves around Ruth aching to solve the mystery of who the murderer is, and why. The story builds up a picture of life on a farm blessed with plenty while around them the rest of the world watches resentfully and simmering.
Very tense, though I guessed the murderer and the cause early on. Ruth and Lucien (her grandson) are the only characters that I really held any sympathy for. Mark felt a bit of a loose cannon, Ruth's daughter Angie, addict and traveller, I didn't like very much, and the nuns and the Rose Cult they push into Ruth's home, creepy and bizarre. But still I read on, and found I enjoyed.
It's a thriller of sorts, though more a slow-burner of a family drama. The past/present narrator is well-handled and never confusing, and I loved the idea of the world suffering from drought and Chanter's vision of how humanity would react.
I did want to know, and never felt we got an answer, as to WHY The Well enjoys rain and bloom. It's a question that the book doesn't answer. You do get a solved mystery, and a fascinating dystopia though.
Review of a Goodreads giveaway copy.
julyj's review against another edition
3.0
if you love nature and cult themed stories, then this is for you.
otherwise, it felt quite draggy and a lot of descriptions were all over the place, hard to follow, making it a complex read. kind of disappointed that it took over 100 pages to tell us the reason for ruth to be under house arrest :/
otherwise, it felt quite draggy and a lot of descriptions were all over the place, hard to follow, making it a complex read. kind of disappointed that it took over 100 pages to tell us the reason for ruth to be under house arrest :/
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Another book group read, The Well had an interesting premise and plenty of food for thought but boy did it waffle on in parts and I’ll admit to skim reading some of the middle. Previously a short story writer, some of Catherine’s prose is beautiful but I think it needed to be much more tightly edited.
It does raise the interesting question whether to give up your home for the greater good or hang onto it for your own survival. We’d all like to think we would be generous in this situation but what if handing your property over meant starvation for yourself? Unfortunately the novel doesn’t go into too much detail about what is going on in the rest of Britain, so it feels very insular and that they might be making a bit too much fuss over sharing.
I instantly took a dislike to the main characters due to their selfishness. OK it’s at the start of the drought that they move out of London but Ruth talks of marrows and apples left to rot because they can’t eat them all. No wonder the locals didn’t like them, even if they didn’t want to give them away they could have sold them or made cider and chutney. Mark refuses to run any pipes into neighbouring properties to share their plentiful water. It’s the old story of entitled city folk moving to the country and feeling like the locals should accommodate them rather than the other way round.
In harsh times there will always be people who take advantage as well as people who turn to religion for reassurance. About halfway through the book the Sisters of the Jericho Rose turn up, a group of women who believe Ruth is their chosen one and women shall inherit the earth. They are not happy that Ruth’s grandson is set to inherit their holy land, The Well.
Mark is happy to escape the city, partly because it was his dream to be able to work the land, but also to escape prejudice. A false accusation at work, unwanted press attention and a suspicion placed that will never go away. There is an absolutely amazing scene which can be read two ways, one if you believe what he was accused of, the other perfectly innocent. It was interesting to explore the damage those kind of allegations can do to an innocent man.
My main problem with The Well was the fact so much was given away right at the start. We know a child is dead and Ruth is under suspicion. We know she was in prison for endangering The Well, a crucial source of water under the Drought Emergency Regulations Act. We know Mark is gone and the sisters are untrustworthy. The story alternates between the present where Ruth is serving a strange kind of house arrest, and the past events which led her there. I was waiting the whole book for the person who I thought did it to be revealed and what a surprise it was them. So predictable and a bit of a cop-out ending in regards to the national state of emergency.
It does raise the interesting question whether to give up your home for the greater good or hang onto it for your own survival. We’d all like to think we would be generous in this situation but what if handing your property over meant starvation for yourself? Unfortunately the novel doesn’t go into too much detail about what is going on in the rest of Britain, so it feels very insular and that they might be making a bit too much fuss over sharing.
I instantly took a dislike to the main characters due to their selfishness. OK it’s at the start of the drought that they move out of London but Ruth talks of marrows and apples left to rot because they can’t eat them all. No wonder the locals didn’t like them, even if they didn’t want to give them away they could have sold them or made cider and chutney. Mark refuses to run any pipes into neighbouring properties to share their plentiful water. It’s the old story of entitled city folk moving to the country and feeling like the locals should accommodate them rather than the other way round.
In harsh times there will always be people who take advantage as well as people who turn to religion for reassurance. About halfway through the book the Sisters of the Jericho Rose turn up, a group of women who believe Ruth is their chosen one and women shall inherit the earth. They are not happy that Ruth’s grandson is set to inherit their holy land, The Well.
Mark is happy to escape the city, partly because it was his dream to be able to work the land, but also to escape prejudice. A false accusation at work, unwanted press attention and a suspicion placed that will never go away. There is an absolutely amazing scene which can be read two ways, one if you believe what he was accused of, the other perfectly innocent. It was interesting to explore the damage those kind of allegations can do to an innocent man.
My main problem with The Well was the fact so much was given away right at the start. We know a child is dead and Ruth is under suspicion. We know she was in prison for endangering The Well, a crucial source of water under the Drought Emergency Regulations Act. We know Mark is gone and the sisters are untrustworthy. The story alternates between the present where Ruth is serving a strange kind of house arrest, and the past events which led her there. I was waiting the whole book for the person who I thought did it to be revealed and what a surprise it was them. So predictable and a bit of a cop-out ending in regards to the national state of emergency.
beamv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mickey09's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book started well and slowly slipped away from me. I got a bit confused about the people coming and going and didn’t feel attached to the main characters. Was disappointed in this one