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A review by hanrutous16
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book had two parallel storylines, a book within a book and a frustratingly simplistic narrative. I picked it up at the library after reading and being disappointed by The Story Collector to see if Woods’ debut was any better than her second novel - it was not.
It did have the biological connections that were missing from The Story Collector. The ‘big reveal’ was obvious but it was satisfying to see all the threads tie up nicely. The ending was happier, I think, in its own way.
But that’s where my appreciation ends. Domestic Abuse is used as a plot furthering device. Whilst some of the experiences Martha had following her separation felt realistic and the fear and stress were there, it kind of disappearedonce Shane was murdered but that’s not really the way trauma works. I was disappointed.
Henry was an incredibly frustrating character, really two dimensional. I didn’t find any depth in him.
Opaline had the best story line, really traumatic and challenging.Her happy ending was a but out of left field and not really in keeping with her character. It took away from the independent woman and normalised the abuse she had experienced. The asylum storyline was once again just a plot device to get her daughter adopted. It was unnecessary and quite lightly handled considering the very serious subject matter of non-consensual incarceration. overall, none of the themes were really very well handled for Opaline.
This book tried to do too much at once and ended up doing nothing well. It was disappointing.
At least this time the title had some relation to the main character - the lost bookshop. Similarly to The Story Collector, though, it was a light touch fantastical element that really only serviced to complicate matters. I would have enjoyed the entire book from the shop’s perspective more than I did the intertwining narratives. The magic of the bookshop was so underused - unsubtle when it was used and ignored the rest of the time. So much potential, not quite reached.
But that’s where my appreciation ends. Domestic Abuse is used as a plot furthering device. Whilst some of the experiences Martha had following her separation felt realistic and the fear and stress were there, it kind of disappeared
Henry was an incredibly frustrating character, really two dimensional. I didn’t find any depth in him.
Opaline had the best story line, really traumatic and challenging.
This book tried to do too much at once and ended up doing nothing well. It was disappointing.
At least this time the title had some relation to the main character - the lost bookshop. Similarly to The Story Collector, though, it was a light touch fantastical element that really only serviced to complicate matters. I would have enjoyed the entire book from the shop’s perspective more than I did the intertwining narratives. The magic of the bookshop was so underused - unsubtle when it was used and ignored the rest of the time. So much potential, not quite reached.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: War