Reviews

Exposure by Helen Dunmore

claredesausmarez's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

ristopakarinen's review against another edition

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4.0

Not a spy novel but a good novel about people who happen to be spies. Dunmore's world is warm, detailed, and intriguing.

krobart's review against another edition

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4.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/day-880-exposure/

jacki_f's review against another edition

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4.0

After a slow start when you're not quite sure what's going on, this book wraps its tentacles around you and barely lets you breathe. It's set in London in 1960, when the Cold War is at its height and suspicions are high. Simon Callington works in a low level position at the Admiralty. He is happily married to Lily, a part time teacher, with three children. Their life is quiet but happy.

One night Simon receives a panic-stricken call from a colleague and old friend, asking him to do him a favour. A seemingly innocuous request, but one that will lead to Simon being charged with espionage. Lily is left to look after the family on her own and to deal with the judgement of colleagues and neighbours. You are really pulled into her situation and I just adored her strength and courage. We the reader know that Simon is innocent but it's hard to see how things can possibly resolve themselves and the tension levels are high.

This is the second book I've read by Helen Dunmore and I really love the way that she brings her characters to life. You feel like you know them so well, that you can see and even smell them. She also creates a terrific sense of place. I was kind of surprised to look up from my book and find myself back in 2015, so deeply was I immersed in the setting.

I received a copy for review via Net Galley.

agirlandabook85's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

aga_acrobat's review against another edition

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Did not care for the characters.

alicemc25's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this book! The cold war era is not something I know very much about, and at first I was worried it would go over my head. But Helen Dunmore writes so beautifully about people and it was these characters - Simon, Lily and their children - who really made the story personable.

Simon is a family man with a safe, comfortable life, until one mistaken action spins out of control and he is arrested as a Soviet spy. The actions that Lily takes to protect him and their family felt real and inspiring. The character of Giles, on whom this whole dilemma is based, I initially disliked intently. Not only was it all his fault, but he comes across as piggish and selfish. However, throughout the book I really warmed to him, particularly after learning about his relationship with Simon.

The ending was perfect. I felt so satisfied with the way it finished, with so much acceptance and hope for their future. But I was also really sad that it was over!

scoutandlyra's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

4.25

sophiazanarotti's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

elliemcc11's review against another edition

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4.0

A very solid 4* read. And again a story set in the Cold War (probably my favourite historical period of recent history). This is a novel about secrets.

The story opens with a woman, a wife and mother, burying a suitcase in her garden. It's a suitcase her husband was sent to retrieve from a colleague / friend's house. There are secrets inside which need to remain hidden. Her husband had to decide whether to take the briefcase back to his office (which would ultimately mean he would be implicated in questionable behaviour) but instead decides to take it home. His wife, curious when she finds the suitcase hidden behind the wellies, realises the contents are very serious hence her actions.

The character development is very good - Lily, the woman in question, was a Jewish child refugee escaping Berlin in WW2 and had her secrets to hide. Her husband is hiding his friend Giles' suitcase/briefcase but their relationship has a much more involved history, again there are secrets to hide.

This was my first novel by Helen Dunmore and I'll be adding her others to my TBR list. The story had a good pace, relatively plausible ending, and good character development.