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A review by ruthlemon08
Islands of Mercy by Rose Tremain
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm a big Tremain fan in general, and I really enjoyed this book. Being just up the road from Bath made it extra fun.
There's a lot of exploration of power threaded through these storylines. Valentine Ross is giving off mega incel vibes and is desperate to have power over people. Leon is also seeking power, prestige, money. Ralph Savage's relationship with Leon is interesting too - clearly Leon is powerless to say no to Savage, in many ways, and there is some muted, subtle exploration of the impact of Imperial power on colonised countries and communities. Julietta has a captivating power over Jane, and seemingly this is reciprocated. Jane is also seeking independence and the power (money, thanks to Victorian England's attitudes to women) to establish her own path in life. So, plenty of power dynamics at work here.
I was sad to leave these characters behind, which feel like a mark of a very good book, and one which will be with me for a long time.
There's a lot of exploration of power threaded through these storylines. Valentine Ross is giving off mega incel vibes and is desperate to have power over people. Leon is also seeking power, prestige, money. Ralph Savage's relationship with Leon is interesting too - clearly Leon is powerless to say no to Savage, in many ways, and there is some muted, subtle exploration of the impact of Imperial power on colonised countries and communities. Julietta has a captivating power over Jane, and seemingly this is reciprocated. Jane is also seeking independence and the power (money, thanks to Victorian England's attitudes to women) to establish her own path in life. So, plenty of power dynamics at work here.
I was sad to leave these characters behind, which feel like a mark of a very good book, and one which will be with me for a long time.