novelesque_life's review against another edition
5.0
5 STARS
"1901, the year of the Queen's death. The two graves stood next to each other, both beautifully decorated. One had a large urn -- some might say ridiculously large -- and the other, almost leaning over the first, an angel -- some might say overly sentimental. The two families visiting the cemetery to view their respective neighbouring graves were divided even more by social class than by taste. They would certainly never have become acquainted had not their two girls, meeting behind the tombstones, become best friends. And furthermore -- and even more unsuitably -- become involved in the life of the gravedigger's muddied son. As the girls grow up, as the century wears on, as the new era and the new King change social customs, the lives and fortunes of the Colemans and the Waterhouses become more and more closely intertwined -- neighbours in life as well as death." (From Amazon)
So far this is my favourite of Chevalier's novels. A great look at women's rights in the early 1900s. I love how she can take the historical facts and events and give them warmth and heart.
"1901, the year of the Queen's death. The two graves stood next to each other, both beautifully decorated. One had a large urn -- some might say ridiculously large -- and the other, almost leaning over the first, an angel -- some might say overly sentimental. The two families visiting the cemetery to view their respective neighbouring graves were divided even more by social class than by taste. They would certainly never have become acquainted had not their two girls, meeting behind the tombstones, become best friends. And furthermore -- and even more unsuitably -- become involved in the life of the gravedigger's muddied son. As the girls grow up, as the century wears on, as the new era and the new King change social customs, the lives and fortunes of the Colemans and the Waterhouses become more and more closely intertwined -- neighbours in life as well as death." (From Amazon)
So far this is my favourite of Chevalier's novels. A great look at women's rights in the early 1900s. I love how she can take the historical facts and events and give them warmth and heart.
jisnthome's review against another edition
3.0
Cemetery munchkins, angel statues, and the Queen is kinda dead. Also mom drama.
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Not awful, just flat. Uses the rotating narrator contrivance (and not even well), resulting in short sections that just skim the surface. Could that be intentional -- to mirror the depths that were hidden beneath the socially acceptable veneer? I'm afraid I can't give the novel that much credit. I just hope I can find enough for my group to talk about for an hour.
helenh1975's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
njw13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.75
kboglola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
remarkablecows's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Rape, and Abortion
rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved it and got into it. When I finished it I wished there was more to read. It captured the differing attitudes of the era and presented an angle on the time period that I haven't encountered before. The characters were all flawed and sympathetic to varying degrees, and, unusually for a book that swaps view points, I didn't find myself preferring one characters sections over others.
riedk's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5