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readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ever since this was included in the NYT Book Review's list of the best books of the year, I've been dying to read this. It checks so many of my boxes: lush, descriptive writing, an 18th-century New England farmhouse, and a threaded series of different characters, time periods, and circumstances that are all woven together into one brilliant tapestry. I am someone who is also very protective and sentimental about place and home and curious how places evolve over time, so this was truly, totally, utterly up my alley. And, to top it all off, I just so happened to be spending time traveling in the Berkshires while reading this, traversing the same landscape that shapes these characters and this story, apple picking and all. There could not have been a more perfect book in my hands for that trip.
And, believe me, it did not disappoint. Admittedly, I was a bit bewildered by the first couple of chapters, but by the time I got to Mary and Alice, the story was starting to click. And it only gets better from there.
However, while this was so close to a five-star read for me, there were a few minor things that bothered me. For one, the songs and the images Mason incorporates. Personally, I don't think they really added much. I'm sure the author could offer a detailed and fascinating justification for their inclusion that would help me appreciate them, but I honestly found them a little pretentious and unnecessary.
Secondly, I could have done without the last chapter, maybe even without Nora's story altogether. Part of the thrill of this book, for me at least, was the slow realization thata supernatural world did in fact exist just beneath the surface of the present one. By exposing this so fully, Mason took away a lot of the magic, mystery, and intrigue for me. I also wouldn't have been opposed to a glimpse into the house and land's future, but the way Mason explored this lacked the detail and rich storytelling that characterized the rest of the book and honestly just felt like a cheap way to tie this off. There's definitely some allusion to climate change, but I would have preferred something more substantial, if he did indeed want to take the story that far.
However, overall, I'll say it just one more time: I loved this. The writing is beautiful, the story brilliant, the characters vividly memorable. Maybe it was a case of right place/right time for me, but I am so grateful to say that this was just about everything I had hoped it would be.
And, believe me, it did not disappoint. Admittedly, I was a bit bewildered by the first couple of chapters, but by the time I got to Mary and Alice, the story was starting to click. And it only gets better from there.
However, while this was so close to a five-star read for me, there were a few minor things that bothered me. For one, the songs and the images Mason incorporates. Personally, I don't think they really added much. I'm sure the author could offer a detailed and fascinating justification for their inclusion that would help me appreciate them, but I honestly found them a little pretentious and unnecessary.
Secondly, I could have done without the last chapter, maybe even without Nora's story altogether. Part of the thrill of this book, for me at least, was the slow realization that
However, overall, I'll say it just one more time: I loved this. The writing is beautiful, the story brilliant, the characters vividly memorable. Maybe it was a case of right place/right time for me, but I am so grateful to say that this was just about everything I had hoped it would be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Slavery and Death of parent
town_scar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Have we not all looked at houses all around the world and pondered what history the walls may tell? What the earth might know?
This novel is a true masterpiece. A combination of prose and poetry that embodies naturalism and spiritualism at its core.
Perhaps my only gripe is that I wish there had been a greater focus on non-White individuals. The main owners of the house are all white (with a single brief exception) and while the original inhabitants of the land are acknowledged they are not given a voice.
This novel is a true masterpiece. A combination of prose and poetry that embodies naturalism and spiritualism at its core.
Perhaps my only gripe is that I wish there had been a greater focus on non-White individuals. The main owners of the house are all white (with a single brief exception) and while the original inhabitants of the land are acknowledged they are not given a voice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer
chloesnotscared's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Colonisation