sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
I love Joanne Harris. I've yet to read one of her books I didn't like.
veritas22's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing. The first Harris book I haven't thoroughly enjoyed.
imyerhero's review against another edition
2.0
Although I really enjoy reading Harris’s works, I’m beginning to wonder if she has something against the Catholic church. In the majority of the books I’ve read written by her, someone or something from the Catholic church ends up being the baddie, and the Church itself is inevitably portrayed as corrupted and judgmental. I’m not Catholic, but I’d hope that someone who is as lovely an author as she is could branch out a little in her pool for villains.
This book, while still engaging in much magical realism, isn’t quite as engaging as some of her other works. It tells the story of Juliette – a former wire walker (a type of acrobatic tight-rope walker) who has abandoned her old life in order to take care of her daughter. She has chosen an out-of-the-way monastery by the ocean in order to do this and has reinvented herself as Sister Auguste. When her past comes back to haunt her in the form of a man she once loved, Juliette must use all her wits and courage in order to save her daughter and the nuns she has come to care for.
For some reason, I couldn’t precisely enjoy this story as much as any of Harris’s others. Juliette was interesting, and the suspense built throughout the book was extraordinary…but I never felt quite confident in what was going on. It was as if I never felt in step with the characters. They were there on the page for me to get to know, but I wasn’t interested in them. The story was great, and the setting, and the characters, but it just lacked the zip to hold my interest.
This book, while still engaging in much magical realism, isn’t quite as engaging as some of her other works. It tells the story of Juliette – a former wire walker (a type of acrobatic tight-rope walker) who has abandoned her old life in order to take care of her daughter. She has chosen an out-of-the-way monastery by the ocean in order to do this and has reinvented herself as Sister Auguste. When her past comes back to haunt her in the form of a man she once loved, Juliette must use all her wits and courage in order to save her daughter and the nuns she has come to care for.
For some reason, I couldn’t precisely enjoy this story as much as any of Harris’s others. Juliette was interesting, and the suspense built throughout the book was extraordinary…but I never felt quite confident in what was going on. It was as if I never felt in step with the characters. They were there on the page for me to get to know, but I wasn’t interested in them. The story was great, and the setting, and the characters, but it just lacked the zip to hold my interest.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
1.0
Very disappointing book. Weak plot: young girl becomes infatuated with a rogue; she is forced to seek refuge and ends up in a loosely-run abbey; rogue finds her; she is still infatuated, even though he takes her daughter away...yada, yada, yada. What bothered me the most is that his voice was the same as her's - had trouble discerning who was speaking at any given moment. Characters were singularly unlikable. I characterize this book as a "contract crunch" book, where successful authors are forced by contract to produce a book a year (or whatever terms). I'm going back to reading first novels - always more well written because the author is intent on making a good debut.
kath61's review against another edition
3.0
I cannot fault the writing style or the story ideas but this was not a compelling read. Even the climax had a dream like quality so that I did not feel empathy with any of the characters.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
3.0
Another beautiful piece of writing from joanne harris! Absolutely loved the characters, thought LaMerle was so intriguing...I was desperate to see what he would do next. Looking forward to my next foray into her books.
madamelacy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
sgilbert3114's review against another edition
4.0
Another good read by Joanne Harris. The story and style seem to be a mix between Chocolat (definitely her best that I've read) and Gentlemen and Players. There's mystery and intrigue, yet all the charms of living in a small community. It shows a great development of character, especially in the main character, as she comes to care for people she would have just turned aside in her past. Another tidbit that is present in this, as well as in most of Harris's other novels, is the change in point of view. Normally this irks me, but Harris does it with superb skill that adds to the story rather than detracting from it.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
nocto's review against another edition
3.0
I kept putting off reading this book because it didn't fit into the right spot: I wanted it to be a fairly light and untaxing read but the 17th century setting loomed in my mind as something heavy and oppressive. Lots of fun once I got going with it though, it's nicely weighted - neither very light or very heavy, gives you plenty to think about without forcing you to think about it.
Despite being set in 1610 it's got quite a bit in common with Joanne Harris's earlier books, the central character reminded me of the central character in Chocolat whose name escapes me now, they have the same kind of shadowy past though we find out more about Juliette in this book. The setting is very close to the setting of Coastliners in everything but time.
jiminniexxz's review against another edition
1.0
you know that kind of book that your family members present you with when they discover you like reading? that horrible one, who has an horrible plot, boring as hell, and reading it just doesn't seems right, but you force yourself to read it, at least a bit, just because you'll feel guilty if you don't? well, i just described this book.
no relevant plot, no captivating characters, too slow pace, it just wasn't for me.
sadly, because joanne harris is a really good writer.
no relevant plot, no captivating characters, too slow pace, it just wasn't for me.
sadly, because joanne harris is a really good writer.