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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
Set post WWI a love story between an older man and a much younger woman. Her dieing brother approves whereas their not so nice Laurent’s are against the relationship. Beautifully and descriptive wording encompasses the life of the main characters as they are parted and go to opposite ends of the world. However I doubt if I will remember much of the story as it didn’t ‘grab’ me.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The book came alive for me in the last section; the descriptions of New Zealand, the "Southern wound" of the inhabitants, was evocative. NZ was used symbolically, but it also felt very real. There are some wonderful observations here as well: Elinor Fry's mother remarking that marriage is such a lottery, plenty of couples that are perfectly matched in age end up in unhappy marriages, so why should an age gap be a barrier if a pair are in love?
This book also had a rare optimism; so many of the characters are decent, kind people, looking after one another after the tribulations of war. Audrey Fellowes particularly sticks in my mind, as someone who, despite having no hope of being with either of the men, takes the trouble to look after them or do things for them out of the goodness of her heart.
This book also had a rare optimism; so many of the characters are decent, kind people, looking after one another after the tribulations of war. Audrey Fellowes particularly sticks in my mind, as someone who, despite having no hope of being with either of the men, takes the trouble to look after them or do things for them out of the goodness of her heart.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In the end, I was well and truly engaged with the story, but it took a while. The style was a bit odd, occasionally I didn't really understand sentences, but on the whole, I enjoyed it. Set just after WWII, in Japan, Hong Kong and England, it's a story of brokenness, healing, love, loss and life.
Oh, the prose is sweet, like camellias floating in a cut glass bowl. Oh, the romance is doomed, like a herd of bison thundering toward a cliff. Oh, the tragedy of human dignity is... oh, forget it.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
An astonishing sojourn, I would have edited the final quarter to a degree, but it is an amazing portal.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The blurbs raved about the style, which was quite bland. Characters underdeveloped by p. 58. A couple of promising characters dead before development. Female character introduced as "a small white hand" helping her brother in an awful bit of romantic and saccharine synecdoche. Dated, dull, not worth continuing. Happy to pack this one in.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Men, she said,
'feel compelled to test their fate: to learn, once and for all, who is master. The lesson is not always to their liking?
'What a cruel story. Does everyone have a cruel story?'
'I begin to think so, If one's lucky, the cruel part occurs within a better context'
Solid 3 star book, it’s a very slow start. The main premise of the book is the relationship between an underage girl and a 33 year old man, who ends up being seen as a “nice man” because he does not have sex with her before they are separated. If you can set that aside, the book is alright.
Interesting details of relationships between people during and after the war. I wish there was a bit more exploration of the relationship between Exley and Leith .
Overall it is written very well.