saestrah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
3.5
heresthepencil's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
rep: lesbian mc & li
this book feels like mary oliver's poetry. it is pure poetry.
i am utterly undone
this book feels like mary oliver's poetry. it is pure poetry.
i am utterly undone
ninaknowles's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
4.0
When I started out with this book, I was kind of bored because of the detailed descriptions of nature. It wasn't really my style.
However, I was heavily invested and emotional by the end of the book. I have grown to enjoy their almost poetic style of writing. The character development was also beautifully done.
However, I was heavily invested and emotional by the end of the book. I have grown to enjoy their almost poetic style of writing. The character development was also beautifully done.
isabellaross's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
sevenelefant's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
michebookies's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t normally enjoy love stories for their own sake but this was a truly beautifully written novel. Some of her sentences are so lyrical and achingly beautiful they warmed even my cynical heart.
xtinetreasure's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rojaed's review against another edition
2.0
This was not my cup of tea. I found the writing too purple and the second half of the book ridiculous and turgid
boundtwobooks's review against another edition
3.0
Find my full review here: https://bound2books.co/2022/03/15/exploring-australias-colonial-history-a-review-of-devotion-by-hannah-kent/
Devotion follows the story of Hanne’s, her family’s and extended community’s journey to South Australia to escape religious persecution. There is the promise of religious freedom, a new start, and better life where they can practice their Old Lutheran ways without persecution. Hanne and her closest friend Thea, along with their families get on a boat and travel to Australia. The bond between Hanne and Thea is strong and before they leave Kay, they share a stolen kiss in the forest. Both Hanne and Thea don’t seem to have the words to describe their relationship, and what transpires between them is hidden from their families and community.
The idea of Devotion, the title of Kent’s novel, isn’t just about Hanne and Thea’s relationship. It takes on many meanings in the novel and it is one of the things that I found so beautiful and profound about Kent’s writing. It is at the same time, about religious devotion, devotion to family and community, it is about love – plutonic and romantic, it is about honouring the people we love in life and death, and it is about our relationship with nature.
Devotion follows the story of Hanne’s, her family’s and extended community’s journey to South Australia to escape religious persecution. There is the promise of religious freedom, a new start, and better life where they can practice their Old Lutheran ways without persecution. Hanne and her closest friend Thea, along with their families get on a boat and travel to Australia. The bond between Hanne and Thea is strong and before they leave Kay, they share a stolen kiss in the forest. Both Hanne and Thea don’t seem to have the words to describe their relationship, and what transpires between them is hidden from their families and community.
The idea of Devotion, the title of Kent’s novel, isn’t just about Hanne and Thea’s relationship. It takes on many meanings in the novel and it is one of the things that I found so beautiful and profound about Kent’s writing. It is at the same time, about religious devotion, devotion to family and community, it is about love – plutonic and romantic, it is about honouring the people we love in life and death, and it is about our relationship with nature.