wedwards94's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Really felt the book only started with about 50 pages left.
Far too many coincidences in this book, and too many references to previous books that make those coincidences even harder to believe.
The main character supposedly bumps into the best friend of his daughter thought dead, in San Sebastián?
Some nice lines in there though, best parts were about Terry Tice the hitman.
Felt rushed towards the end, like Banville got bored and couldn’t be arsed continuing with the book.
Far too many coincidences in this book, and too many references to previous books that make those coincidences even harder to believe.
The main character supposedly bumps into the best friend of his daughter thought dead, in San Sebastián?
Some nice lines in there though, best parts were about Terry Tice the hitman.
Felt rushed towards the end, like Banville got bored and couldn’t be arsed continuing with the book.
cariadreads's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annarella's review
4.0
This is a complex, slow burning, enthralling and entertaining story that kept me turning pages as fast as I could.
It wasn't love at first page but after a few pages I was hooked.
The plot is complex, it kept me guessing and I was surprised by the ending. Sometimes there's a bit too much coincidence but it didn't stop me from loving it.
Great character development, vivid historical background and some lovely descriptions of San Sebastian.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It wasn't love at first page but after a few pages I was hooked.
The plot is complex, it kept me guessing and I was surprised by the ending. Sometimes there's a bit too much coincidence but it didn't stop me from loving it.
Great character development, vivid historical background and some lovely descriptions of San Sebastian.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
trudy26's review against another edition
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
3.0
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Quirke has gone to northern Spain for a beach holiday with his wife, a psychiatrist, Evelyn. While there he thinks he sees a woman who was declared dead in Ireland several years before. Quirke cannot let sleeping dogs lie and soon sets in motion a chain of events that leads to a climatic ending.
Banville writes characters with precise details whether they are primary characters or play a limited role. The care he takes to draw a picture of everyone who shows up in this novel was part of the pleasure of reading it.
Banville writes characters with precise details whether they are primary characters or play a limited role. The care he takes to draw a picture of everyone who shows up in this novel was part of the pleasure of reading it.
jentheotherone's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kayann's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
beledit's review against another edition
3.0
A stylish thriller in the classic tradition. Banville is an excellent writer and this bears his hallmark strong writing, pacing and characterisation. He's a master of the trade.
That said, I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I liked Snow or other Banville novels I've read. Or indeed as much as some other Quirke novels, written as Benjamin Black, that I've read in the past. I can't really put my finger on why... I was not fully engaged with any of the characters and not very emotionally invested in the outcome.
That said, I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I liked Snow or other Banville novels I've read. Or indeed as much as some other Quirke novels, written as Benjamin Black, that I've read in the past. I can't really put my finger on why... I was not fully engaged with any of the characters and not very emotionally invested in the outcome.
jaswanson22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
Libro.fm audiobook, John Lee narrator
tethompson3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0