Scan barcode
expatpanda's review against another edition
5.0
A story of love, falling love and how love can transform people even in the oddest of contexts. This book was a slow burn of emotional turmoil as the siege of a diplomatic party goes awry. What I love about this book is that you care about the characters more than you ever thought possible. Not every author can my attention gripped in the happenings of a single house for five months but this one manages it quite skilfully. The style of writing is quietly evocative, building on emotion and drawing out the characters from their literary shells.
The best- and worst- aspect of this book is that you truly don’t have a clue how it will end which keeps you engaged until the very last page. Wow. A beautiful work of fiction.
The best- and worst- aspect of this book is that you truly don’t have a clue how it will end which keeps you engaged until the very last page. Wow. A beautiful work of fiction.
dinasaf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
likethesolid's review against another edition
3.0
Strangely, this story about a kidnapping is very sweet. The blurring of lines between the hostages and captors is a beautiful idea, however unlikely it would be. The last chapter puzzles me and is the reason I would give the book three stars instead of four.
I finished this book exactly one year, to the day after my mother did.
I finished this book exactly one year, to the day after my mother did.
grmoriarty's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In the beginning it was very difficult for me to read because it was so slow. I found it very beautiful and moving once I switched to the audiobook, though
szrikem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
anishachana's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mayame's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this 3.5 if I could. I enjoyed it and it was well written (I reread certain sentences over and over, in a good way). Mostly, I wanted it to take hold of me a little stronger and a little earlier than it did.
retharogo25's review against another edition
3.0
The epilogue completed ruined this entire book for me. Otherwise it was a nice read.
brynbsko's review against another edition
4.0
WHAT!!!
The ending…… well. I wont say a thing.
Just kidding, I have something to say.
I am glad that it wasn't a cliche ending. And maybe it's just because I'm bad at predicting endings but I really did not see where this was going until the last 5 pages. I picked up this book before and got a little bored. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed every minute of this book though as it certainly isn't what I would normally go for.
This is a really really sweet story and you begin to feel as though each character could be your neighbor or your uncle. I won't say anything else about it though because I do think it's worth the read.
The ending…… well. I wont say a thing.
Just kidding, I have something to say.
I am glad that it wasn't a cliche ending. And maybe it's just because I'm bad at predicting endings but I really did not see where this was going until the last 5 pages. I picked up this book before and got a little bored. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed every minute of this book though as it certainly isn't what I would normally go for.
This is a really really sweet story and you begin to feel as though each character could be your neighbor or your uncle. I won't say anything else about it though because I do think it's worth the read.