Scan barcode
briartherose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carlamaeshep's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
Within the first few pages you become aware that this isn't quite our world. We're introduced to a character called Ruth who has been returned to house arrest at The Well, though we don't know what she's done or why she's been released, or even how different this world is. All we know is that there's a terrible drought, and that for some reason The Well is somehow exempt, the only place where the water table and land are replenished by rainfall, the only place where grass is green, flowers still grow, and a stream still runs.
Ruth and Mark were happy, escaping the city for a rural paradise - or so they thought. Gradually the full story is revealed: what happened to their dream home after 22 years of marriage and the beginning of a new life, what it's like when your fields are green and plentiful while the rest of the country suffers a pervading drought, when your neighbours go bankrupt while you feast. As the events unfold, told through Ruth's recollections - or hallucinations - we see the contrast between then and now, memories intruding on her reality, death and wariness surrounding her, as we all question her mental state.
I can't explain the feel of this, except to say it's similar to some of Margaret Atwood's writings. Ruth's voice is clear though her thoughts are filled with confusion mixed with certainty, swirling around within the beautiful isolation of The Well; all the raw truths, the ones we think but don't say. The ominous tone, with its sense of foreboding, draws us in with a sense of expectation, leaving us to watch as Ruth dissolves; we can't look away, must see the resolution, whether or how she survives.
I often felt that I needed a break from this book yet I couldn't tear myself away. Ruth's journey, with increasingly leaden feet, grew harder for her to bear, but there was a glimmer of something that kept her going, and kept me at her side.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ruth and Mark were happy, escaping the city for a rural paradise - or so they thought. Gradually the full story is revealed: what happened to their dream home after 22 years of marriage and the beginning of a new life, what it's like when your fields are green and plentiful while the rest of the country suffers a pervading drought, when your neighbours go bankrupt while you feast. As the events unfold, told through Ruth's recollections - or hallucinations - we see the contrast between then and now, memories intruding on her reality, death and wariness surrounding her, as we all question her mental state.
I can't explain the feel of this, except to say it's similar to some of Margaret Atwood's writings. Ruth's voice is clear though her thoughts are filled with confusion mixed with certainty, swirling around within the beautiful isolation of The Well; all the raw truths, the ones we think but don't say. The ominous tone, with its sense of foreboding, draws us in with a sense of expectation, leaving us to watch as Ruth dissolves; we can't look away, must see the resolution, whether or how she survives.
I often felt that I needed a break from this book yet I couldn't tear myself away. Ruth's journey, with increasingly leaden feet, grew harder for her to bear, but there was a glimmer of something that kept her going, and kept me at her side.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
eclectictales's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this novel courtesy of the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2015/05/12/review-the-well/
The Well was a curious novel, the unravelling of the story slow and setting up Ruth’s story through memories and dealing with the present time (why was she under house arrest? Why did Mark lose his job? What happened to Lucien exactly?). It’s hard to explain my feelings about this novel, but it does do a good job in setting up the eerie and strange atmosphere of the story; it wasn’t what I expected. I was also expecting the fanaticism to balance out with the everyday/political/social concerns about The Well but I was surprised that the Sisters of the Rose really slipped in and became such a major part of Ruth’s life. Their presence added to the very eerie and tense atmosphere of the novel, wedging into Ruth’s life and unbalancing her already-fragile relationships further away, isolating Ruth even more.
Despite of the set-up of the story and the thematic elements of it, I found myself not really caring for the characters. I’m not sure if it’s because of the set-up of the story or how the narrative indulges a bit too much into Ruth’s memory, or the creepy nature of the Sisters and how they found their way into Ruth’s life, but I just wanted to know what happened to Lucien. The apocalyptic element of the setting also was a bit of a letdown; you know that there’s a major water shortage going on and there’s all these government policies and announcements mentioned in passing, but the Well is just so isolating, I never really got that sense of place.
Overall, The Well was an interesting read, though it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and in the end not quite the read I would’ve checked out. Nonetheless the structure of the storytelling was interesting and the question of what happened to Lucien and what led to Ruth’s house arrest kept me around to the end.
The Well was a curious novel, the unravelling of the story slow and setting up Ruth’s story through memories and dealing with the present time (why was she under house arrest? Why did Mark lose his job? What happened to Lucien exactly?). It’s hard to explain my feelings about this novel, but it does do a good job in setting up the eerie and strange atmosphere of the story; it wasn’t what I expected. I was also expecting the fanaticism to balance out with the everyday/political/social concerns about The Well but I was surprised that the Sisters of the Rose really slipped in and became such a major part of Ruth’s life. Their presence added to the very eerie and tense atmosphere of the novel, wedging into Ruth’s life and unbalancing her already-fragile relationships further away, isolating Ruth even more.
Despite of the set-up of the story and the thematic elements of it, I found myself not really caring for the characters. I’m not sure if it’s because of the set-up of the story or how the narrative indulges a bit too much into Ruth’s memory, or the creepy nature of the Sisters and how they found their way into Ruth’s life, but I just wanted to know what happened to Lucien. The apocalyptic element of the setting also was a bit of a letdown; you know that there’s a major water shortage going on and there’s all these government policies and announcements mentioned in passing, but the Well is just so isolating, I never really got that sense of place.
Overall, The Well was an interesting read, though it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and in the end not quite the read I would’ve checked out. Nonetheless the structure of the storytelling was interesting and the question of what happened to Lucien and what led to Ruth’s house arrest kept me around to the end.
ingejanse's review against another edition
2.0
Dit is mogelijk een goed boek. Echt waar. Het is alleen absoluut niet voor mij bedoeld. En omdat ik daar veel te laat achter kwam, heb ik The Well uitgelezen, terwijl dat helemaal niet de bedoeling was.
Ten eerste wat The Well níet is, terwijl je dat ten onrechte wel kan denken: een magisch-realistisch boek, gesitueerd in een dystopische nabije toekomst in Engeland. Nouja, dat is het wél, maar dat is niet de crux van het verhaal.
Dan: wat is het wél, terwijl je dat niet dacht? Ik denk dat het goede antwoord luidt dat het een extreem op vrouwen gericht boek is over een wereldwinkelvrouwtje dat - zoals wereldwinkelvrouwtjes altijd doen - veel te hard voor het gaas gaat van gekke religieuze opvattingen, er misvormde idealen over liefde en relaties op nahoudt, en niet echt (lees: echt niet) snapt hoe mannen werken.
Bovendien is het verhaal gewoon totaal ongeloofwaardig. Dat The Well de enige plek is waar het nog regent, zou in elk scenario betekenen dat het binnen drie minuten door een woeste volksmassa wordt gekaapt. Bovendien zou wereldwinkelvrouwtje Ruth nooit teruggestuurd worden naar de plek waar zij verdacht wordt een kind vermoord te hebben, laat staan dat Mark al die gekken op het terrein niet direct met een afgezaagde shotgun dood zou schieten (en daar alle recht toe heeft).
En als laatste: dit boek kon ook zonder problemen de helft korter. Maar Catherine Chanter blijft maar mijmeren en meanderen. Dat zal wel heel literair en mooi en ontregelend en verantwoord zijn, maar ik word er gek van.
Voor de goede orde: de eerste honderd pagina's ging het echt prima, toen was er nog een geheim dat ontrafeld moest worden en waar de schrijver best snel doorheen ging. Maar daarna dacht ze: tijd voor wat contemplatie en wereldwinkelsentiment.
Nooit een goed idee.
Ten eerste wat The Well níet is, terwijl je dat ten onrechte wel kan denken: een magisch-realistisch boek, gesitueerd in een dystopische nabije toekomst in Engeland. Nouja, dat is het wél, maar dat is niet de crux van het verhaal.
Dan: wat is het wél, terwijl je dat niet dacht? Ik denk dat het goede antwoord luidt dat het een extreem op vrouwen gericht boek is over een wereldwinkelvrouwtje dat - zoals wereldwinkelvrouwtjes altijd doen - veel te hard voor het gaas gaat van gekke religieuze opvattingen, er misvormde idealen over liefde en relaties op nahoudt, en niet echt (lees: echt niet) snapt hoe mannen werken.
Bovendien is het verhaal gewoon totaal ongeloofwaardig. Dat The Well de enige plek is waar het nog regent, zou in elk scenario betekenen dat het binnen drie minuten door een woeste volksmassa wordt gekaapt. Bovendien zou wereldwinkelvrouwtje Ruth nooit teruggestuurd worden naar de plek waar zij verdacht wordt een kind vermoord te hebben, laat staan dat Mark al die gekken op het terrein niet direct met een afgezaagde shotgun dood zou schieten (en daar alle recht toe heeft).
En als laatste: dit boek kon ook zonder problemen de helft korter. Maar Catherine Chanter blijft maar mijmeren en meanderen. Dat zal wel heel literair en mooi en ontregelend en verantwoord zijn, maar ik word er gek van.
Voor de goede orde: de eerste honderd pagina's ging het echt prima, toen was er nog een geheim dat ontrafeld moest worden en waar de schrijver best snel doorheen ging. Maar daarna dacht ze: tijd voor wat contemplatie en wereldwinkelsentiment.
Nooit een goed idee.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
3.0
I have such mixed feelings about this novel I'm hoping this review will be coherent and not a rambling mess! You'll probably agree with me that the premise sounds fascinating and as a result, I was hopeful that it would be a good read. Unfortunately I had a few issues with it that has led to me giving it the star rating that I have. So, the story begins by introducing us to a woman called Ruth Ardingly who has returned to her home known as The Well on house arrest, guarded by three officers at all times, accused of murder. Then the story switches back to the past as Ruth recollects when she first came to the countryside property with her husband Mark, trying to escape the hustle bustle of the city life and some recent allegations about Mark (which were proved to be unfounded). Their marriage is on shaky grounds as it is and they are hoping that a new start on land where Mark can realise his dream of farming will allow their relationship to heal. Oh dear...you just know that this is not going to be the case, don't you?
As Ruth and Mark are settling into their life at The Well, the rest of the country is experiencing the worst drought in history and life is difficult for the general population as they cope with water rations and inevitable drama that would ensue from this operation. Life gets a bit more difficult for Joe Public however when it is realised that there is one place in the country that seems to have an abundance of water and is the only place that receives precious rain. Yes, you've guessed it - it's The Well. Just as Ruth and Mark are trying to re-build their marriage, they now have to deal with the jealousy, crazy people and haters who accuse Ruth of everything from water theft to plain and simple witchcraft. Ruth's daughter Angie, an ex drug addict and her son Lucien come to stay on the property for a while in the company of some hippy-type travellers and even she is shocked by the drama that is unfolding in her mother's life.
Following close on the travellers heels come another group of people which leads to the completely unanticipated and life-altering situation that Ruth now finds herself in the present time. They are of a new religious order, celebrating feminism and The Rose of Jericho and headed by the confident and very persuasive Sister Amelia. She manages to convince Ruth that she is something close to sainthood because of the seemingly magical flow of water to The Well and Ruth is soon thoroughly smitten with the idea, indulging in regular and cult-like devotions and neglecting her marriage and other responsibilities. Then Ruth's grand-child, Lucien is tragically killed and Ruth immediately falls under suspicion when she cannot account for her whereabouts except for being in the throes of prayer. Fast-forward to the present time and Ruth has lost everything good in her life - her husband, her daughter, her grand-child, unless it can be discovered what really happened on that terrible evening.
Hmmm. So it wasn't that I disliked this book. In fact, some parts of it I found incredibly poetic and moving and as I mentioned above, I was quite excited about it after reading the synopsis. Generally, I found it to be a bit of a slow burner, especially at the beginning although it did hit its stride after The Sisters Of Jericho entered the narrative. I also enjoyed how it bounced from the past to the present and loved reading about the relationship between Ruth and Boy (her favourite guard). My two main issues are the paranormal slant that the story is given which I didn't really think went anywhere. At no time are we ever given an explanation of exactly why The Well is the only drought-less place in the country which was slightly frustrating but it's not really explored in any great depth either and I would have liked a bit more insight into the situation across other homes and in the country as a whole which would have made the situation a bit more realistic in my eyes. Also, when the villain of the piece was unmasked, I was quite surprised as it seemed a little too easy for my liking. Unfortunately, I had already guessed it at the beginning of the novel but I immediately dismissed it as I thought the author would make it harder for me than that! If you can get past these two little niggles though it is a decent enough read and sports some beautiful passages that are so descriptive that I was able to picture the setting with ease. I would definitely be interested to see what this author does next.
For my full review, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
As Ruth and Mark are settling into their life at The Well, the rest of the country is experiencing the worst drought in history and life is difficult for the general population as they cope with water rations and inevitable drama that would ensue from this operation. Life gets a bit more difficult for Joe Public however when it is realised that there is one place in the country that seems to have an abundance of water and is the only place that receives precious rain. Yes, you've guessed it - it's The Well. Just as Ruth and Mark are trying to re-build their marriage, they now have to deal with the jealousy, crazy people and haters who accuse Ruth of everything from water theft to plain and simple witchcraft. Ruth's daughter Angie, an ex drug addict and her son Lucien come to stay on the property for a while in the company of some hippy-type travellers and even she is shocked by the drama that is unfolding in her mother's life.
Following close on the travellers heels come another group of people which leads to the completely unanticipated and life-altering situation that Ruth now finds herself in the present time. They are of a new religious order, celebrating feminism and The Rose of Jericho and headed by the confident and very persuasive Sister Amelia. She manages to convince Ruth that she is something close to sainthood because of the seemingly magical flow of water to The Well and Ruth is soon thoroughly smitten with the idea, indulging in regular and cult-like devotions and neglecting her marriage and other responsibilities. Then Ruth's grand-child, Lucien is tragically killed and Ruth immediately falls under suspicion when she cannot account for her whereabouts except for being in the throes of prayer. Fast-forward to the present time and Ruth has lost everything good in her life - her husband, her daughter, her grand-child, unless it can be discovered what really happened on that terrible evening.
Hmmm. So it wasn't that I disliked this book. In fact, some parts of it I found incredibly poetic and moving and as I mentioned above, I was quite excited about it after reading the synopsis. Generally, I found it to be a bit of a slow burner, especially at the beginning although it did hit its stride after The Sisters Of Jericho entered the narrative. I also enjoyed how it bounced from the past to the present and loved reading about the relationship between Ruth and Boy (her favourite guard). My two main issues are the paranormal slant that the story is given which I didn't really think went anywhere. At no time are we ever given an explanation of exactly why The Well is the only drought-less place in the country which was slightly frustrating but it's not really explored in any great depth either and I would have liked a bit more insight into the situation across other homes and in the country as a whole which would have made the situation a bit more realistic in my eyes. Also, when the villain of the piece was unmasked, I was quite surprised as it seemed a little too easy for my liking. Unfortunately, I had already guessed it at the beginning of the novel but I immediately dismissed it as I thought the author would make it harder for me than that! If you can get past these two little niggles though it is a decent enough read and sports some beautiful passages that are so descriptive that I was able to picture the setting with ease. I would definitely be interested to see what this author does next.
For my full review, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
cursedaims's review against another edition
5.0
This book will be one that will remain etched into my mind. Within adult fiction it's hard to find a story that stays in your mind with such permanence. I read this in January and still adore the story and recommend this book to anyone looking for something to chill your bones and linger in your thoughts. Themes of marriage, decay, religious cults, dystopia and murder make this book greatly intriguing and a real page turner. Dystopian England makes this book hit home in a realistic fear of drought with current climate change worries in environmentalist views of the damage it will one day cause. The modern day setting proves a more capturing interest in the world that The Well presents. Beautifully detailed writing creates a descriptive story that leaves your imagination whirring with the images that this pain filled story creates you to not only see but believe with complex characters with interesting backgrounds and Chanters ability to manipulate readers to feel strongly (and also wrongly) about the suspects of her grandsons murder by the well near their home. Perceptive story with great detail and originality.
alkbass's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting read. I really enjoyed the story. There were so many themes in the novel. It will definitely make for an interesting book group meeting.
kinsey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0