leilaniw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
teresac's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
duchy01's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
perfectsolitude's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shayanelacey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
bellari's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
just, absolutely wonderful. i think my new favourite. natalia ginzburg never fails in her prose, turning the small actions and thoughts from the cast of characters into meaningful, world-shattering statements. the plot informs the style and form, and in turn, the form creates the emotion. ginzburg doesn't rely on emotional devastation - she simply says, and it appears. the world stops, and continues moving, all at once.
hannavd's review against another edition
4.0
This novel contains observations on life which are translated in carefully composed beautiful sentences I feel only Natalia Ginzburg can write. Amazing combination of storytelling with hints of prose.
“For loneliness and sorrow were the salvation of the spirit, so at least it said in books and perhaps it was true.”
“All men make you sorry for them if you look at them closely, in fact you ought to be on guard against that excess of compassion which arises suddenly, from looking closely at people.”
“For loneliness and sorrow were the salvation of the spirit, so at least it said in books and perhaps it was true.”
“All men make you sorry for them if you look at them closely, in fact you ought to be on guard against that excess of compassion which arises suddenly, from looking closely at people.”
suzanneelliott_25's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Very much enjoyed, but the dense paragraphs and long run-on sentences made it a slightly difficult read.
But there were real moments of brilliance, would recommend as a historical novel, if not as a perfect reading experience. ✨
Very much enjoyed, but the dense paragraphs and long run-on sentences made it a slightly difficult read.
But there were real moments of brilliance, would recommend as a historical novel, if not as a perfect reading experience. ✨
the_bookworm's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jhowleywells's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0