kirkpaints8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
confused_hamburger's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
While the prose was of a good quality, consisting of some interesting stylistic features, the central character herself I found to be rather lacking. How you turn a fascinating historical figure with many complexities into a boring, saint-like figure, whose one and only flaw was using the second-best sheet to bury her mother, is beyond me. Seriously, why does Grace Marks not have ANY flaws? It really comes to the detriment of this potentially fascinating story, making it into an unengaging snooze-fest. Furthermore, the doctor's relationship with his landlady was pointless and went nowhere. Very disappointing, especially considering this is the author who wrote "The Handmaid's Tale".
lipsillen's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
interrowhimper's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I hadn’t realized it was based on a real crime. I think Atwood paid remarkable detail to history. I always think when reading fiction about women during this period of time that I’m grateful not to have loved then, as misogyny is exhausting enough now. Atwood has used misogyny as a lens with her two perspective characters to set a kind of unsettling tone.
mcaress's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
kvinnsogboker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.25
theiofthestorm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hstorkel's review against another edition
3.0
This was a mixed bag for me. The book began a little slow. I liked the historical aspects of the story but the mystery/murder portion was not always as satisfying. I also found the doctor character a bit mystifyingly odd.
elenaakers's review against another edition
4.0
some of the earlier parts of this book were a bit of a slog but once I figured out what was going on, I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know if there would be a big reveal - and there was. But it didn’t answer every question. Definitely still pondering. At the least, no one illustrates women’s suffering at the hands of men quite like Atwood.