snailq's review
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nohoperadio's review
3.25
Mostly unmemorable writing with a memorable whiplash structure: first half is quite a benign comedy about a snooty French girl (of modest background) coming to live with a middle class but unsnooty English family and the silly ways they predictably fail to live in harmony. At almost exactly the midpoint of the book the husband runs off with the French girl and suddenly the novel is now a psychological study of the shock and depression his wife and daughter are thrown into that almost reminded me of a less full-on version of Elena Ferrante’s Days of Abandonment. I said the writing was mostly unmemorable and that’s true, I don’t think either half of this novel would amount to much without the contrast with the other half, but it wasn’t bad either. I did enjoy this.
this_koala_reads's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I found this book slow on the uptake, but then endearing and honest and quite like family. I will read more of this author.
emmavardy2's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
3.75
nattypom's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
shippers1983's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
larafrances's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
renie's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know I am in the minority but this story drove me crazy. I wanted to shake the characters out of their stupor. If it wasn’t a Persephone but a recently written novel, I doubt I would have finished it. A contentedly blinkered little wifey, a dashing husband, two wonderful children; then add a French femme fatale employed as a companion to the elderly matriarch who stealthily undermines the family’s security and happiness. Giving it a 3 because the writing is good.
oliveanareads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0