nanettefclark's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
marlo_c's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this in 2014 and decided to reread it since it’s been long enough that I couldn’t remember. It was still engaging and compelling, though I remembered the twist as I got toward the end. Enjoyed rereading it and remembering why I loved it so much the first time.
Original thoughts: Stories within stories, sad yet hopeful... mysterious and lovely. A masterful telling. Loved it.
Original thoughts: Stories within stories, sad yet hopeful... mysterious and lovely. A masterful telling. Loved it.
mleach07's review against another edition
3.0
What an incredibly long book. It was ok, but honestly not something I'd ever read again.
emleyb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.75
lkayydub's review against another edition
5.0
Any book that has me sobbing by the end of 550 pages gets 5 stars. This wonderful novel is about Nell who was abandoned on a ship as a 4 year old girl headed for Australia in 1913. It was revealed to her on her 21st birthday that the family she has is not actually her family at all. Her identity is shattered and she feels like she has no idea who she is. Fast forward to 2005 and her granddaughter Cassandra is with Nell as she is dying in the hospital. Once Nell passes away, Cassandra was mysteriously left a Cottage in England and also finds out that Nell was struggling her whole life with not knowing who she was. It is now up to Cassandra to find all of the pieces to the puzzle and find out where her grandmother came from.
The time jumps confused me in the first half of the book because they were all over the place but got better in the latter half. Otherwise this book was just great. The writing was phenomenal. I was enthralled with the story and really didn’t feel any type of lull like I typically have been finding when I read books well over 350 pages. I didn’t want this to end but the ending was everything I hoped it would be and I’m over here sobbing because of it. Love love love.
The time jumps confused me in the first half of the book because they were all over the place but got better in the latter half. Otherwise this book was just great. The writing was phenomenal. I was enthralled with the story and really didn’t feel any type of lull like I typically have been finding when I read books well over 350 pages. I didn’t want this to end but the ending was everything I hoped it would be and I’m over here sobbing because of it. Love love love.
rileyephillips's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
daal1592's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
Una historia entretenida y llena de misterio que engancha fácilmente, aunque después de comentarla en grupo me di cuenta de que la historia tiene algunos fallos de los que obviamente no puedo hablar porque SPOILER, pero la recomiendo si quieren una lectura que los atrape.
Una historia entretenida y llena de misterio que engancha fácilmente, aunque después de comentarla en grupo me di cuenta de que la historia tiene algunos fallos de los que obviamente no puedo hablar porque SPOILER, pero la recomiendo si quieren una lectura que los atrape.
rachaeldubay's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25