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celtic67's review against another edition
4.0
While this book is well written,with plenty of research into the setting of Ceylon and the politics of the era.
I think at times this overpowered the narrative.
Gwen seemed to be the only character who was well developed. Others in the story could have been developed more.
Quite an enjoyable read I must say it is not my preferred genre.
I think at times this overpowered the narrative.
Gwen seemed to be the only character who was well developed. Others in the story could have been developed more.
Quite an enjoyable read I must say it is not my preferred genre.
astraia_sun's review against another edition
5.0
This book was given to me by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I started this book to read on downtime while on vacation. Unfortunately for my vacation, and fortunately for this book, I found it hard to put down when I had my n ext activity! This book kept me guessing, kept me reading, kept me in full sympathy for poor Gwen. I loved how the author wove details of Ceylon into the narrative, and it gave a real atmosphere and sensibility of the location. The characters all had their own personalities and motivations, and I couldn't help but feel my heart break for the trials privileged Gwen went through while shown against the backdrop of the trials the people of Ceylon went through.
I started this book to read on downtime while on vacation. Unfortunately for my vacation, and fortunately for this book, I found it hard to put down when I had my n ext activity! This book kept me guessing, kept me reading, kept me in full sympathy for poor Gwen. I loved how the author wove details of Ceylon into the narrative, and it gave a real atmosphere and sensibility of the location. The characters all had their own personalities and motivations, and I couldn't help but feel my heart break for the trials privileged Gwen went through while shown against the backdrop of the trials the people of Ceylon went through.
carolyn0613's review against another edition
2.0
I was surprised that this book did not grab me. i didn't finish it. I found the setting cliched, the characters unappealing and the plot, in as far as I got, not very interesting.
sabinagav's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
This book is more for readers of historical fiction than mystery. To parts of the book, I would give a five star rating parts of the book I would give a three start rating (hence the four star review).
The positives of the book is that it gives a dynamic and beautiful picture of British Ceylon. I was truly intrigued about how the British tried to make a little Britain in a remote part of the world. The book was enjoyable to read and the ending gave me a jolt. Furthermore, the book is not an homage to the British Empire; the reader becomes aware of problems.
One negative of the book is that we don't see the heroine's courtship with her husband. Problems in her marriage start right away. It would have been nice to see what their initial romance was like.
This may be a cultural issue since I am twenty-first century American woman and the book is about an early twentieth century English girl. Another problem I had with the book is that I found iit hard to believe that nineteen year old girl would be happy living on a remote island away from her family and friends. She seems spend a lot of time on her own and I see most nineteen year olds as wanting to have a more lively environment. This may be a cultural issue since I am twenty-first century American woman and the book is about an early twentieth century English girl; it could be that the wives of the British Empire were tough.
Another aspect of the book that I found unsettling was it superficial resemblance to Daphne du Maurier's book Rebecca. In both books, young women marry older men after a short courtship. In both books the husband had a first wife who dies in somewhat mysterious circumstances. In both books there is a housekeeper who knew both the first and second wife. When I was reading the book I kept on thinking about the book Rebecca. Obviously, if you have not read the book Rebecca this will not be a problem for you. However, if you have read Rebecca this book is different and try not to think about the book Rebecca; this novel.
However, despite the above reservations, I still found it an entertaining page- turner of a book where I could escape from my ordinary everyday life into Ceylon.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The positives of the book is that it gives a dynamic and beautiful picture of British Ceylon. I was truly intrigued about how the British tried to make a little Britain in a remote part of the world. The book was enjoyable to read and the ending gave me a jolt. Furthermore, the book is not an homage to the British Empire; the reader becomes aware of problems.
One negative of the book is that we don't see the heroine's courtship with her husband. Problems in her marriage start right away. It would have been nice to see what their initial romance was like.
This may be a cultural issue since I am twenty-first century American woman and the book is about an early twentieth century English girl. Another problem I had with the book is that I found iit hard to believe that nineteen year old girl would be happy living on a remote island away from her family and friends. She seems spend a lot of time on her own and I see most nineteen year olds as wanting to have a more lively environment. This may be a cultural issue since I am twenty-first century American woman and the book is about an early twentieth century English girl; it could be that the wives of the British Empire were tough.
Another aspect of the book that I found unsettling was it superficial resemblance to Daphne du Maurier's book Rebecca. In both books, young women marry older men after a short courtship. In both books the husband had a first wife who dies in somewhat mysterious circumstances. In both books there is a housekeeper who knew both the first and second wife. When I was reading the book I kept on thinking about the book Rebecca. Obviously, if you have not read the book Rebecca this will not be a problem for you. However, if you have read Rebecca this book is different and try not to think about the book Rebecca; this novel.
However, despite the above reservations, I still found it an entertaining page- turner of a book where I could escape from my ordinary everyday life into Ceylon.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
booklovinalicia's review against another edition
5.0
"The Tea Planter's Wife" was such an enjoyable read! Dinah Jefferies filled the entire book with quality, descriptive writing to create a stunning historical drama. An elegant, mysterious, deeply-moving novel that I deem 5 stars! To read my complete review on this and other books please check out my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me the egalley to read and give my honest opinion!
Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me the egalley to read and give my honest opinion!
kalianngibson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aliciagriggs's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, and it kept me gripped and wondering what will happen next. A sad and thoughtful novel.
rachael_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. It was the read for the month in my book club and not really sure if I would have chosen it on my own - but it definitely turned out to be a good read. The descriptions of 1920-30's Ceylon were amazing - I kept looking images up on Google to help with the imagination. Such a beautiful place to live, but then a devastating thing happens which brings up questions for Gwen and the book takes a turn into the dark corners of jealousy, confusion, grief, and ignorance. It is a bit long, but I guess it needed to be to tie It altogether – its almost like several novels in one. It was also a little predictable but overall I really enjoyed it. The narrator was amazing as well.
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
At the age of 19, Gwendolyn Hooper arrives in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to join her new husband. Laurence is a widower who owns a tea plantation. Gwen is giddily in love and full of optimism about her new life. However she quickly finds that life in Ceylon is more complicated than she anticipated. Her husband seems moodier, changed. There seems to be some kind of mystery about what happened to his first wife and then Gwen stumbles across a child's grave which no one wants to talk about. The manager of the plantation is unfriendly and Laurence's sister also seems to have her own agenda. Then there is a glamorous American woman who seems very interested in her husband. When Gwen gets pregnant, she thinks that the new baby will make everything better, but instead it's quite the opposite.
I have mixed feelings about this book - it's an easy and engaging book to read with a fantastic sense of place. I really enjoyed being transported to 1920s Ceylon. However Gwen is an annoying main character who could have made half her problems go away if she would only communicate better! I also felt that many of the other characters were under-developed. The author seemed to have put a lot of thought into their back stories but less into making them fully rounded people. I wanted more clarity on various plot points - marriages would suddenly happen for example.
At the book's heart however is a good story that is set in an exotic and appealing location. I always think it's a good sign when I'm not reading a book and I find myself wondering what's going to happen to the characters.
Thank you to Penguin Books and Net Galley for giving me an advance copy to review.
I have mixed feelings about this book - it's an easy and engaging book to read with a fantastic sense of place. I really enjoyed being transported to 1920s Ceylon. However Gwen is an annoying main character who could have made half her problems go away if she would only communicate better! I also felt that many of the other characters were under-developed. The author seemed to have put a lot of thought into their back stories but less into making them fully rounded people. I wanted more clarity on various plot points - marriages would suddenly happen for example.
At the book's heart however is a good story that is set in an exotic and appealing location. I always think it's a good sign when I'm not reading a book and I find myself wondering what's going to happen to the characters.
Thank you to Penguin Books and Net Galley for giving me an advance copy to review.