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zackarinareads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
I liked a lot of this but it also dragged on and on and took me forever to finish.
I would recommend it though, if you're looking for a descrete queer book! It doesn't say anything on the blurb and is very queer on the inside.
I would recommend it though, if you're looking for a descrete queer book! It doesn't say anything on the blurb and is very queer on the inside.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism, Suicide, and Terminal illness
claireeshelby's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
I greatly enjoyed the literary references and the book’s strong basis in reality while retaining its sense of fictional wonder. The plot was repetitive at times, but the repetition highlighted the mundanity of life, bookmarked by more inspiring, momentous events. Overall a wanderlust-inducing read that definitely inspired me to pick up more classics.
Moderate: Suicide
josieruby1's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide
flo_llot's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
authorbrittanibee's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I was originally drawn to this historical fiction piece because of the main protagonist, Sylvia Beach. I wanted to learn more about her and how she came to build such a notable bookshop in Paris as well as fight against American censorship by publishing Ulysses during the time of Prohibition. Unfortunately, I found that I wasn’t able to find the rhythm of this story until the final third of the novel. There was something about the cadence in which events were shared that didn’t resonate with me, at times outright disorienting me. The vast amount of time that the novel spanned was incredibly jarring, but maybe that is just me. I do find that I enjoy really delving deep into minute details that perhaps others don’t find as intriguing.
Regardless, I still very much enjoyed the fictionalization of Sylvia Beach’s life, and was incredibly intrigued to learn in the author’s note that Sylvia, herself, wrote an autobiography. I think I might have to dive down that rabbit hole in the future and see the time period in which she operated Shakespeare and Company through her own eyes.
Minor: Suicide, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
gracescanlon's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Death
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
terrificarno's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
was actually quite surprised by how much i ended up liking this book! in the beginning i had my gripes with the author’s writing (felt a bit too descriptive/flat), but once james joyce entered the scene it definitely became a very entertaining and informative read. would recommend it to anyone who’s hungry for a good fictionalised account of the paris of the twenties!
Moderate: Suicide
daryn's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Suicide and Sexism
Minor: Antisemitism and War
gluten_full's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A perfectly good historical fiction. I would not recommend the audiobook. The accents the narrator uses are deeply cringe
Moderate: Suicide
anniesbookpicks's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Suicide