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juliachilver's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. The descriptive writing of the countryside reminded me of HE Bates and the history of the ghost village is fascinating.
tinuviel1892's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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? No
3.0
anna_pengu's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
At first, I enjoyed the vivid and detailed descriptions the author gave for every piece of landscape around Elise, the main character. However, it started to wear thin about halfway into the book and the overly long and flowery descriptions started to feel like they were there to pad out the length of the book. This also really bogged down the pacing, as these long passages fill out the bulk of the book whenever nothing else is happening.
The characters, especially Elise herself, were difficult to find interesting. Relationships aren't built very realistically and the one at the end, specifically, just felt icky to me considering how it comes together after the tragic revelation just before it.
Overall, this book was a struggle to get through and I definitely started skimming the long passages of describing animals on a hill, the sound of waves on a shore, and so on and so forth. A very uninteresting read with a middling plot that doesn't really go anywhere satisfying.
The characters, especially Elise herself, were difficult to find interesting. Relationships aren't built very realistically and the one at the end, specifically, just felt icky to me considering how it comes together after the tragic revelation just before it.
Overall, this book was a struggle to get through and I definitely started skimming the long passages of describing animals on a hill, the sound of waves on a shore, and so on and so forth. A very uninteresting read with a middling plot that doesn't really go anywhere satisfying.
kolson687's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautifully written book that has a strong sense of time and place. The upstairs/downstairs is reminiscent of Downton Abbey but there is not a lot of overlap as it pertains to the characters. I love historical novels based on real events so the author's note at the end really added to my enjoyment of the book. If you enjoy historical fiction set in the English country side I would recommend this book.
sdelcharco's review against another edition
3.0
A good enough read. Some parts didn’t seem to be believable for the time period.
nicolegiordano's review against another edition
3.0
A quick, easy read. The story was a little too predictable, but the characters were like-able. A good summer read.
frankanalysis's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it all went a bit strange when Elise married her ex-fiancée-to-be’s Dad.
reydeam's review against another edition
4.0
I have just finished reading this book, and am trying to come to grips with the emotions rolling around inside of me. Such sadness yet hope and love are abound too. I am soaking in the emotions provoked by the words on these pages. I was certainly drawn into the book and tore through the pages as I needed to know Elise's story; how it turned out for her. I will write out my thoughts further after I have had more time to absorb and discuss this very-very good story.
carliekw's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, it was slow to get into but then I really enjoyed it. Good narrator. Very visual descriptions, took me back to England.
mostlyfated's review against another edition
3.0
Overall it is a good book. However, I find the character of Elise/Alice near the end rather disappointing.