A review by glossy
Private Rites by Julia Armfield

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This book had good premise with bad execution. I expected a moody read but unconvincing descriptions of drowning city and it's people ruined it for me. I get the intention of portraiting a vanishing place and the attempt is obviously working for so many people who like the book. To me, the general apathy toward flood and destruction is surreal. I think there would be more riots and migrations. And Armfield gives you a hint this is happening for decades having the father designing buildings adaptaple to flooding. There should had been more research on effects of rising sea levels. This is a pure speculation but with many false informations that could have been fact-checked. Anemones growing in someone's house? No way they could survive the pollution. And oystercatchers roosting on wires? They don't have feet for that!

The main story (or is it?) of 3 sisters grieving for their father was just not captivating enough to make it more enjoyable. It was awkwardly paced with quick culmination at the very end which kind of came out of nowhere.

To me this was very weak novel in comparison to Armfield's previous one.