Reviews

The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

jorgegamboa's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

aelunny's review

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mysterious tense medium-paced

3.75

If you aren't used to books written a while ago, I wouldn't recommend this book for you. If I read this book before I really got into reading I probably would have DNF'd it.

I really enjoyed how this book provided a show, don't tell slate that leaves a lot of commentary on the status of women during WWII. I feel like Sanxay Holding did a great job at balancing succint good writing while also providing so many moments Lucia and other characters experience that all contribute to themes of the book. Once I got over my urge to think about what I'd do in her situation, I felt boxed in (I guess you could say hitting that 'blank wall') with Lucia, Sybil, and Bee with their own respective walls that consume them.

ohnoflora's review

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3.0

The plot is really neither here nor there but what I most liked about this book was the depiction of the ground-down drudgery of a housewife (married too young) in WWII, trying to cope somehow, trying to feed her family somehow, trying to balance their needs and expectations while also maintaining a respectable, calm front. How does she do it? Only Sylvia knows...

we_are_all_mad_here26's review

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4.0

Basically: mothers don't get nearly enough credit.

Persephone #2 (for me - for Persephone it's actually #42).

wendoxford's review

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4.0

1940s US crime. Adored the family scene - mother in charge whilst father is away at war. Her children and father have rather staid and puritanical expectations of her whilst she embroils herself in two murders and black marketeering whilst externally worrying about food/petrol rationing and which frock to wear. Why have I never heard of this writer before?

msliz's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.5

wanderlustsleeping's review

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2.0

2.5 Stars

Just unremarkable in every way. I'm sure the author was trying to make some kind of point with the meek housekeeper, but it was just too boring for me to care.

clarajohanna's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

kimtee83's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-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

3.0

This is a fairly straightforward murder mystery. But, instead of finding out who the murderer is, you find out whether or not they get away with it. Overall, I felt bad for Lucia. She seemed tormented by her family. 

martinamarier's review

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3.75

i actually really liked this!!! first "femme fatale" book i've read for class that i've genuinely enjoyed.... i wonder why?? 🤔