wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
I find a novel with an overlapping of lives in a small community endlessly fascinating, giving layers of perspective in character snapshots by way of interlocking stories. Examples of this narrative technique I loved have been The Turning by Tim Winton and Capital by John Lanchester.
This book creates a tapestry of poignancy and the mundane with what felt at times an almost too deliberate drive to ensure that the community was diverse enough, mixed in age/gender/ethnicity/ political divides in an area of Hackney that is a gentrification hotspot.
I found it an absorbing read set in a part of London familiar to me. A great debut and I anticipate the author growing from this first book. I look forward to watching her progression
This book creates a tapestry of poignancy and the mundane with what felt at times an almost too deliberate drive to ensure that the community was diverse enough, mixed in age/gender/ethnicity/ political divides in an area of Hackney that is a gentrification hotspot.
I found it an absorbing read set in a part of London familiar to me. A great debut and I anticipate the author growing from this first book. I look forward to watching her progression
kiwifruiteater's review against another edition
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
4.0
mariannelwnicholson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melaniesreads's review against another edition
5.0
There is a Gaelic proverb say little but say it well. This book is the epitome of that, capturing snapshots of people as they go about their daily lives. Twelve residents over twelve months, each getting their own chapter we start with Wolfie and Mona and end with them too.
Now to start my gushing over this wonderful book, upon seeing the twelve chapter titles I knew straight away this would be something special. It’s always the little things that show real care and attention. Then oh my, we get to the writing, exquisite doesn’t even do it justice. How anyone can write so eloquently about a shed is beyond me and a grimy old smoking shed at that. But I was right there in the garden with dear old Wolfie and I could almost smell the salmon hanging inside.
I loved getting to know the residents and being part of their joys and struggles. Sometimes the very best stories come from the street where you live.
All the characters have their own distinct voices and it is crafted to perfection how they all seamlessly come together. Told with real authenticity you feel part of the community and my only complaint is that I wanted more.
This is a dream for people watchers who imagine what goes on in strangers lives. You don’t get the entire picture but you do get answers and not always who you expect it from.
Now to start my gushing over this wonderful book, upon seeing the twelve chapter titles I knew straight away this would be something special. It’s always the little things that show real care and attention. Then oh my, we get to the writing, exquisite doesn’t even do it justice. How anyone can write so eloquently about a shed is beyond me and a grimy old smoking shed at that. But I was right there in the garden with dear old Wolfie and I could almost smell the salmon hanging inside.
I loved getting to know the residents and being part of their joys and struggles. Sometimes the very best stories come from the street where you live.
All the characters have their own distinct voices and it is crafted to perfection how they all seamlessly come together. Told with real authenticity you feel part of the community and my only complaint is that I wanted more.
This is a dream for people watchers who imagine what goes on in strangers lives. You don’t get the entire picture but you do get answers and not always who you expect it from.
aboutjasi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
bookietracey's review against another edition
3.0
This book is written so well but it read like a short story collection and not a novel. I was constantly left wanting more and left unfulfilled.
I did enjoy this book but I felt like I had no attachment to the characters. This book didn’t grip me.
georgiaahxo's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
darkereader44's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a well written novel about twelve people living around Victoria Park in London over the space of a year. This all takes place against the backdrop of an acid attack within the park. Each persons story is like a short novella though some of the stories loosely overlap they are not closely linked, many just recognise a face across from the street as they go about their day, just like in a real life neighbourhood. You almost feel like a voyeur looking into homes, lives and minds of the residents. The characters are a wide variety of ages and situations from the loveable owner of the Deli, Wolfie and Mona who have lived on Victoria Park for over fifty years to the younger pizza delivery guy. Over the course of the year you learn about the characters hopes, dreams, loves and varied pasts. Gemma Reeves has written a moving novel about resilience love and loss, I really enjoyed this uplifting urban tale.
ells123's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
bookloversboudoir's review against another edition
4.0
#ARC from the publisher via #NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed
https://thebookloversboudoir.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/victoriapark-by-gemmareeves/
This is a debut and I had no idea what to expect. I thought Victoria Park was a terrific book, I fell in love with the twelve characters than span the pages, their lives, their hopes, pain, fear – the whole enchilada. I loved the concept of the book, how the lives of these twelve very different people connect and intercept. Some of the connection are obvious, for example, family members and other connections are surprising and come out of nowhere. I was never sure who I was going to meet next which made reading the book engaging and I got submerged in every word. I’d highly recommend this. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
https://thebookloversboudoir.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/victoriapark-by-gemmareeves/
This is a debut and I had no idea what to expect. I thought Victoria Park was a terrific book, I fell in love with the twelve characters than span the pages, their lives, their hopes, pain, fear – the whole enchilada. I loved the concept of the book, how the lives of these twelve very different people connect and intercept. Some of the connection are obvious, for example, family members and other connections are surprising and come out of nowhere. I was never sure who I was going to meet next which made reading the book engaging and I got submerged in every word. I’d highly recommend this. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.