jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Deep in the heart of the moors and hills of the northern Peak District lies a community surrounded by reservoirs and one New Year a young girl goes missing. This shoots the village to headline news and despite all the best efforts of the locals the girl is not found. However life must go on and the effects of these events impact all around to a greater or lesser extent. Over the next ten or so years the book follows the local characters and the wider life in the area.
This is an incredibly unusual book in that there is little plot and the narrative takes place in a series of long paragraphs which almost list a series of events happening to people and also to nature, some are mundane, some challenging, some barely drawn. It takes a while to get into the book, I was expecting some form of twist or 'plot device' but there isn't one, it's just a description of life in a village after one serious event takes place. Once one realises this there is a wonderful rhythm to the writing and a lovely way of interspersing observations about nature with profound events in the life of the villagers.
This is an incredibly unusual book in that there is little plot and the narrative takes place in a series of long paragraphs which almost list a series of events happening to people and also to nature, some are mundane, some challenging, some barely drawn. It takes a while to get into the book, I was expecting some form of twist or 'plot device' but there isn't one, it's just a description of life in a village after one serious event takes place. Once one realises this there is a wonderful rhythm to the writing and a lovely way of interspersing observations about nature with profound events in the life of the villagers.
azu_rikka's review
4.0
3.5☆
I adored the unusual writing style. It made me feel detached and yet involved. The book is poetic and witty.
Each chapter represents one year after Bex goes missing. In each chapter the author gives us glimpses into the villagers personal lives and also into the circle of life in the natural world and the yearly festive celebrations.
The first third of the book I thought this as fantastic but it got a bit too repetitive, especially as there was no highlight in the story and no way the investigation into Bex's disappearance was going.
Even the end seemed arbitrary.
I adored the unusual writing style. It made me feel detached and yet involved. The book is poetic and witty.
Each chapter represents one year after Bex goes missing. In each chapter the author gives us glimpses into the villagers personal lives and also into the circle of life in the natural world and the yearly festive celebrations.
The first third of the book I thought this as fantastic but it got a bit too repetitive, especially as there was no highlight in the story and no way the investigation into Bex's disappearance was going.
Even the end seemed arbitrary.
tlm1964's review
dark
sad
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
ronne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
eviefisher16's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
slhandy45's review against another edition
4.0
A novel unlike any other. Takes a bit to get into the flow but oh so beautiful.
melina_panteli's review
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
A 2017 staff favorite recommended by Becky.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sreservoir%2013%20mcgregor__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sreservoir%2013%20mcgregor__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
courtneyd92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
li22ie's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0