spillie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book is well-written but it didn’t capture me. I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters. To me, the link between the stories wasn’t strong. I believe the three stories were intended to reflect each other but I lost patience and would have enjoyed this novel more if each story had been told in it’s entirety then linked at the conclusion. Not recommended.
slampie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I loved the interpretation of the Book of Esther as well as the stories of Vee and Lily. Very well done with a satisfying, moving ending.
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
1.0
i am very very very very tired of reading stories of miserable women leading miserable lives and settling for them and pretending it’s enough instead of finding actual joy. esther sorta gets an out on this one but wtf was the whole beast thing about.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
Two attempts and this is sadly just not capturing my attention.
eileen_critchley's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes I read a book and I don't love it and I'm not sure why. The writing didn't bother me (sometimes I love the story idea and the writing itself is the problem, but not in this case), and I tend to love interconnecting stories that take place over time. It may just be where I'm at at this point in time that this book didn't resonate with me as much as I thought it would. I loved how two of the stories and timelines came together (and in a way I didn't see coming), but ultimately this book was a bit slow going for me. But, admittedly, I'm at a highly distractible and exhausted moment in my life, so I'm sure it's not the book, it's me. It's not a fast read, and I wasn't dying to get back to it; by the end it felt like more of a chore and I think that's just not what I need right now.
(library, kindle)
(library, kindle)
starrburst112's review against another edition
3.0
About Vashiti and Esther was a timely Purim read. It has multiple story lines. It is my second time trying to read it. Didn’t love all the characters. I
carinab's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
awill's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
julieanncordero's review against another edition
3.0
There were parts of this book I really enjoyed and then parts that I struggled through. I don’t know — definitely not a favorite books.
bkish's review against another edition
3.0
this book doesnt quiet come together and Anna Solomon had a far reaching plan to bring together different groups of people at different periods and tie it all together with the Jewish story of Esther the Queen who was jewish and helped to save her people at a time way way back in our history
There is a theme here which is loosely connected to the first Queen Vashti and brings us into current time in Brooklyn NY and DC in the 80s. It is a story about women and their men.
I think Anna Solomon could have made a simpler story without so much weaving of characters to give the impression of all having same issues and similar outcomes
It just gets lost in the translation and the interweavings...
It did tho hold my interest altho I didnt ever experience a connection to any of these women
Judy
There is a theme here which is loosely connected to the first Queen Vashti and brings us into current time in Brooklyn NY and DC in the 80s. It is a story about women and their men.
I think Anna Solomon could have made a simpler story without so much weaving of characters to give the impression of all having same issues and similar outcomes
It just gets lost in the translation and the interweavings...
It did tho hold my interest altho I didnt ever experience a connection to any of these women
Judy