Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tashreads2manybooks's Reviews (1.06k)
DNF at 10% - I'm supposed to read this for a new book club I've joined. But I just can't put myself through it. I have so many books I want to read, why bother begrudgingly going through one I don't?
That was just what I needed - a romp through Victorian London, good characters, witty dialogue and all round fun. It is no literary masterpiece and definitely has its faults, but I will be continuing the series.
I'm sorry to report that I could not finish this book. I read 25% of it and was....well..bored, sorry to say. There were so many POV's that I found the shifts between them jolting where they should be smooth and seamless. I couldn't care about any of the characters, not even the Golden Boy doctor who came across as some sort of medical god.
The premise was intriguing - a dodgy medical trial and a dead doctor prodigy - and if you like medical thrillers I would suggest giving it a go. But I felt smothered by the medical and legal particulars - and I am no dummy! - but they were delivered in a dry, matter-of-fact kind of way.
Maybe it improves further along. It certainly has positive reviews, but unfortunately for me there was no connection.
The premise was intriguing - a dodgy medical trial and a dead doctor prodigy - and if you like medical thrillers I would suggest giving it a go. But I felt smothered by the medical and legal particulars - and I am no dummy! - but they were delivered in a dry, matter-of-fact kind of way.
Maybe it improves further along. It certainly has positive reviews, but unfortunately for me there was no connection.
I had to wait about 12 hours before writing this review. It's the kind of book that calls for contemplation and reflection once completed. The premise is so intriguing: A hermit is dead; a whore is found drugged and wandering the streets, and the town's richest man has disappeared. Twelve relative strangers from different cultures and walks of life meet in secret to discuss the events surrounding the mystery. And Walter Moody stumbles in on it ...
Catton delivers a masterfully written frontier mystery as intricate and magical as the stars governing the characters' lives. I can't pretend to understand the connection to the charts and stellar bodies she includes, but it was a lot of fun just going with it anyway.
This is an incredibly dense and complex novel, with a vast and rich cast of characters. It will not be for everyone, and it is not an easy read. It is however, a literary feat and completely deserving of the Man Booker prize.
Catton delivers a masterfully written frontier mystery as intricate and magical as the stars governing the characters' lives. I can't pretend to understand the connection to the charts and stellar bodies she includes, but it was a lot of fun just going with it anyway.
This is an incredibly dense and complex novel, with a vast and rich cast of characters. It will not be for everyone, and it is not an easy read. It is however, a literary feat and completely deserving of the Man Booker prize.
3.5 stars. Beautiful, poetic prose. Interesting concept and insights. Not much plot.
Well that was a bit of a surprise. I went into this with low expectations, but found myself quite invested in the story.
Great read. Although, doesn't it bug anyone that Lyra has such God-awful, cold parents. Poor kid.
So this was a 2 star read for me almost all the way through, however I have to give kudos where kudos is due - and was mildly surprised - so 2.5 stars (but only just). Trying not to be spoilery - but I felt like yelling the obvious at Emily throughout the book - urgh! She was so annoying!
So, it's been two days since I finished this book, and I still don't know how I am going to do it justice.
The story spans over 100 years in South Africa, from the second Boer War to post apartheid 2015. The main protagonists are an Afrikaans Boer wife and mother, who is taken to a concentration camp set up by the British (yes! that happened!) and a reserved, bookish teenage boy who is forced into a military style camp (dare we say conversion camp?!) by his misguided mother and brutish step father.
The way Barr connects these two seemingly separate narratives is touching and heart wrenching. I was fully immersed in the experience from the get go. There are multiple POV's within this story and occasionally it felt a bit jarring, but in such a capable author's hands, all is forgiven. I especially felt a connection to Willem (the teenage boy in 2010) and was so invested in his story that by the end I neglected my own children to finish the book.
This is a wonderful debut novel that left me heartbroken yet hopeful. It is shocking and compelling and I feel as though the characters will remain with me for some time. Bravo Mr. Barr!
The story spans over 100 years in South Africa, from the second Boer War to post apartheid 2015. The main protagonists are an Afrikaans Boer wife and mother, who is taken to a concentration camp set up by the British (yes! that happened!) and a reserved, bookish teenage boy who is forced into a military style camp (dare we say conversion camp?!) by his misguided mother and brutish step father.
The way Barr connects these two seemingly separate narratives is touching and heart wrenching. I was fully immersed in the experience from the get go. There are multiple POV's within this story and occasionally it felt a bit jarring, but in such a capable author's hands, all is forgiven. I especially felt a connection to Willem (the teenage boy in 2010) and was so invested in his story that by the end I neglected my own children to finish the book.
This is a wonderful debut novel that left me heartbroken yet hopeful. It is shocking and compelling and I feel as though the characters will remain with me for some time. Bravo Mr. Barr!