Scan barcode
gracer's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I was really impressed with the portrayal of the cahracters in this book and I can't wait to continue the series. There are so many characters, all so excellently, complexly and thoroughly presented, which I found really remarkable. Their concerns and growing pains all felt realistic, and even though some do not get that much page time they all came alive for me while I was reading.
Lately I find myself borderline obsessed with books set in 1930s and 40s Europe, and this was really enjoyable as an image of what life was like for people watching Hitler from semi-afar and wondering what would happen next. I also found this book did a nice job of showing how people impacted by WWI watched the shadow of fascism spreading over Europe in a way I have often heard about but never been able to feel the way this book made me feel it.
There are lots of tiny pleasures and joyful moments as well as plenty of horrors. I won't give any spoilers but suffice it to say that at one point you are just happily floating along with the characters, but by the second half you see so much more sinister behavior, occasionally skin-crawling things mixed in with the normal ups and downs of life. One in particular left me a bit shocked, and that is a part of this book that will stick with me.
I am really curious to see how this world continues to grow and how the family will be impacted by WWII.
Lately I find myself borderline obsessed with books set in 1930s and 40s Europe, and this was really enjoyable as an image of what life was like for people watching Hitler from semi-afar and wondering what would happen next. I also found this book did a nice job of showing how people impacted by WWI watched the shadow of fascism spreading over Europe in a way I have often heard about but never been able to feel the way this book made me feel it.
There are lots of tiny pleasures and joyful moments as well as plenty of horrors. I won't give any spoilers but suffice it to say that at one point you are just happily floating along with the characters, but by the second half you see so much more sinister behavior, occasionally skin-crawling things mixed in with the normal ups and downs of life. One in particular left me a bit shocked, and that is a part of this book that will stick with me.
I am really curious to see how this world continues to grow and how the family will be impacted by WWII.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, and Miscarriage
There are a lot of moderate references to things that people will find unpleasant, and in many cases, triggering. Because their is a broad cast of characters, and it portrays a lot of the hard things in life in general, you will find a lot of these references here.gossipjuly's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jgvdv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and War
thelaurasaurus's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is about an upper middle class family living in Sussex and London in 1937-8. Very little actually happens, but it was just the most wonderful, soul-soothing read. While not all of the characters are lovable, there are a lot of characters and many are.
One thing which surprised me was how Victorian the lives of these people seemed, considering the time in which they lived. The women had no agency, the girls were home educated, etc. There was a surprising amount about teeth - false teeth and braces featured significantly more than I expected (to be fair, my expectation was no mention).
Despite giving it a five, it did turn into a bit of a slog for a while at the half way point when a whole selection of new characters were added to the already bloated cast. However, once I got to grips with them (mostly), it was ok again.
I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
One thing which surprised me was how Victorian the lives of these people seemed, considering the time in which they lived. The women had no agency, the girls were home educated, etc. There was a surprising amount about teeth - false teeth and braces featured significantly more than I expected (to be fair, my expectation was no mention).
Despite giving it a five, it did turn into a bit of a slog for a while at the half way point when a whole selection of new characters were added to the already bloated cast. However, once I got to grips with them (mostly), it was ok again.
I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
cathyjane's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
lindeleest's review against another edition
Ik kom hier niet doorheen. 10+ verhaallijnen kan ik niet aan.
seyoban's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I have never in my life read a book with such well-written characters. Despite the great reviews, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I’ve fallen in love with all the complexities of the Cazalets. There is admittedly 0 plot but it’s such a great character case study that I was still absorbed throughout.
andreacpowers's review
3.0
Beautifully written but the women have no agency. I found that depressing. So I'm not going to read the rest of the series unless I trip over a copy in the Salvation Army.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed opinions of this novel. While I enjoyed the fastidious study of the family Cazleat and those around them, and the teeny tiny details that seemed so superfluous but actually ensured that you knew the characters completely and understood their vices, worries and dreams. There wasn't really an overarching plot as such, but each family and each character had their own individual stories which made a generally good book, Even if there seemed no real point to any of it.
I think that was my issue, it was very good but with no direction. The point of the book was solely to describe these characters and not to lead them anywhere. In a romance they would bumble through then fall in love, in a thriller they would investigate and solve a crime... in this novel they just ... were.
I think that was my issue, it was very good but with no direction. The point of the book was solely to describe these characters and not to lead them anywhere. In a romance they would bumble through then fall in love, in a thriller they would investigate and solve a crime... in this novel they just ... were.
sminismoni's review against another edition
On the surface, this should have been a book I loved. Historical fiction, family saga etc. But by God, the characters were terrible. Firstly they seemed largely indistinguishable, especially the three brothers. There were dozens of children I couldn’t keep track of. Secondly, they were unlikeable; boorish aristocrats with ennui. Well, I gave up. What a shame.