megmo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Minor: War
conbeeni's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
Minor: Grief
oceanwriter's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Grief, War, and Death
bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Death of parent and Antisemitism
Moderate: War, Grief, Racism, and Death
nofacelif's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: War and Grief
paulinevb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: War and Grief
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
But I read this for book club, and this book lends itself to some excellent discussions. We talked about dignity, we talked about decision-making and owning up to your life choices, we talked about what makes a person good and the importance of banter. There's a reason this book won the Booker Prize back in 1989, when it was released. And though I'm not sure that I loved it, I can recognize the brilliant writing style and the themes and emotions it brings up that makes it good literature.
Also, it's impossible to read this and not imagine Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes as Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Bullying
scruffie's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Grief and Death
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
sherbertwells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Grief