Reviews

The Colony by Audrey Magee

hailskp's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

3.0

I don’t think I quite understood it but it was worth the read. I think if it was a movie it would be an Oscar winner because it has that air of like life sucks and we like to make it artsy. 

sadcaptains's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

seventhswan's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I found this quite a difficult but rewarding read. I was glad that the fragmented writing style of words
broken up across lines
like this
with the enter key
got a lot less frequent over the course of the book, but there were moments when I recognised that the writing was repeating itself, yet felt relieved about this as it gave me a chance to understand what was being said. This isn't criticism, just a note that this is a book that needs your full attention. 

The characters really shone in this story - Mairead and James especially captured my heart, but Lloyd

Spoiler

is one of the most complex and surprising villains I've read for ages, especially as I liked him until about 80% of the way through the book.

I raged at the ending both because it was quietly devastating and because I didn't see it coming, though I really, really should have done.

I'm not sure if I would have liked more or less of Masson, but something about his character and storyline didn't feel as nuanced or complex as the others. I definitely wanted more of Mairead. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Animal death

Moderate: War and Gun violence

clairemariarose's review against another edition

4.0

this one’s a thinker

hmckeever's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

toddattwood's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

3.5

whatshereads727's review against another edition

Not for me. The writing style I inviting. After 175 pages I couldn’t tell you what this book is about. 

amy_coe's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ctrahe's review against another edition

5.0

I hesitated when reading the blurb, but I’m so glad I picked it up. Once I did I couldn’t put it down. It was a unique telling of the Troubles in Ireland. The story left me heartbroken and angry, yet unsurprised at the turn of events which sum up colonialism so well.

libellus's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0