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A review by chasinggrace
Still Life by Sarah Winman
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
A beautiful snapshot of life.
The writing style purposefully flows like time - unrelenting, constant, not a pause or a playback in sight. This book is meant to be read on the beach, in the sun, in reflection. It single-handedly made me see the beauty in life again, in the small things and in humanity and in love and loss. I was choked up this entire book simply because of the beauty of it and its inevitable end.
Every single character was incredibly unique. All complex, all beautiful. No one was the “good guy” or the “bad guy” because they were intricate sculptures of real people. The acceptance of the multiple queer relationships was done so well, especially given the time period. Sex was explored so uniquely in this book.
The descriptions of Italy left me speechless. The references of art, of architecture, the descriptions of food and outfits and nature and people. The writing was immaculate.
Everyone will get something different from this story, depending on the season of life in which you read it. This book is meant to be consumed repetitively, on trains and beaches and in bed.
Peg was my absolute favorite, which is probably an unpopular opinion. Her character arc and the truly raw emotions she felt unabashedly spoke to my soul. And of course i loved Evelyn and Cress. Cried real tears when Cress and Claude passed away. Col’s character development too - stunning. And I identified so much with Alys.
This has become a Roman Empire book for me.
The writing style purposefully flows like time - unrelenting, constant, not a pause or a playback in sight. This book is meant to be read on the beach, in the sun, in reflection. It single-handedly made me see the beauty in life again, in the small things and in humanity and in love and loss. I was choked up this entire book simply because of the beauty of it and its inevitable end.
Every single character was incredibly unique. All complex, all beautiful. No one was the “good guy” or the “bad guy” because they were intricate sculptures of real people. The acceptance of the multiple queer relationships was done so well, especially given the time period. Sex was explored so uniquely in this book.
The descriptions of Italy left me speechless. The references of art, of architecture, the descriptions of food and outfits and nature and people. The writing was immaculate.
Everyone will get something different from this story, depending on the season of life in which you read it. This book is meant to be consumed repetitively, on trains and beaches and in bed.
This has become a Roman Empire book for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse