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A review by bleadenreads
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Nell Stevens is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I loved her nonfiction Mrs Gaskell and Me so I was very excited to read her novel, and it did not disappoint. This was just utterly beautiful and moving, it's very rare that a book moves me to tears and captures my heart so much!
What can I say about Blanca without giving too much away except that she is full of both vengeance (against predatory men) and love (for women).
She was one of the most original characters I've read in years and I just adored her force and loves (and hates). It was such an interesting narrative style to have the observations, smells and feelings of a ghost structure a novel, it was unexpectedly immersive and tragic.
I know the plot sounds utterly random and I have to admit that if it wasn't for @katiejlumsden review, I would never have picked it up, but I am SO glad I did. It was a beautifully written emotional rollercoaster and also such an accurate depiction of xenophobia/Christian attitudes towards adultery in 19th C Europe, with some beautiful queer love thrown in too
Stevens again showed her flare for depicting creativity (like with Mrs Gaskell) through her portrayals of George Sands and Frédéric Chopin - it was so fascinating to learn more about them.
Just read it - I couldn't put it down
What can I say about Blanca without giving too much away except that she is full of both vengeance (against predatory men) and love (for women).
She was one of the most original characters I've read in years and I just adored her force and loves (and hates). It was such an interesting narrative style to have the observations, smells and feelings of a ghost structure a novel, it was unexpectedly immersive and tragic.
I know the plot sounds utterly random and I have to admit that if it wasn't for @katiejlumsden review, I would never have picked it up, but I am SO glad I did. It was a beautifully written emotional rollercoaster and also such an accurate depiction of xenophobia/Christian attitudes towards adultery in 19th C Europe, with some beautiful queer love thrown in too
Stevens again showed her flare for depicting creativity (like with Mrs Gaskell) through her portrayals of George Sands and Frédéric Chopin - it was so fascinating to learn more about them.
Just read it - I couldn't put it down