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yaakovakiva's review against another edition
4.0
Wow... The end of this book took me a bit by surprise. I'm still giving it some thought.
Overall, Audrey Niffenegger has a beautiful voice as a writer. I found myself just wandering through this book, not really caring what the ultimate resolution was because I was so thoroughly enjoying each of the characters and their rich, descriptive stories. I fell in love with each character and with the story and with the relationships, and then the last 20% really threw me for a loop. It left me not really knowing how I felt about some of the characters, liking some of them less, feeling misled and bit disappointed with how things turned out, even though I'd spent so much of the book not invested in the end point.
I think it's beautifully written, and it definitely stirred up a strong reaction in me, but I wish somehow that things had turned out differently for almost every single character. Strange feeling to have about a book I would still say I really liked.
Overall, Audrey Niffenegger has a beautiful voice as a writer. I found myself just wandering through this book, not really caring what the ultimate resolution was because I was so thoroughly enjoying each of the characters and their rich, descriptive stories. I fell in love with each character and with the story and with the relationships, and then the last 20% really threw me for a loop. It left me not really knowing how I felt about some of the characters, liking some of them less, feeling misled and bit disappointed with how things turned out, even though I'd spent so much of the book not invested in the end point.
I think it's beautifully written, and it definitely stirred up a strong reaction in me, but I wish somehow that things had turned out differently for almost every single character. Strange feeling to have about a book I would still say I really liked.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
3.0
Not for me. It wasn't that I didn't like the main characters, it was that they didn't interest me.
One of the few books I put down without finishing.
One of the few books I put down without finishing.
tamracielle's review against another edition
3.0
Very unusual story. I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as The Time Traveler's Wife. Audrey Niffenegger is a terrific writer, but this story got truly creepy in the last third of the novel.
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
3.0
Personaggi insopportabili, protagoniste infantili e sceme, trama poco credibile, e storia agghiacciante. Nel senso che proprio mi sentivo la pelle d'oca mentre leggevo. Specialmente Salvo questo libro solo perché mi trasmetteva un vero senso di horror, altrimenti... schifezza totale. Dopo il fiasco di The Time Traveller's Wife, credo che non ptenderò più in mano un libro di questa autrice.
Però mi è venuta una gran voglia di visitare il cimitero di Highgate.
Spoiler
quando Elspeth uccide la gattina.Però mi è venuta una gran voglia di visitare il cimitero di Highgate.
erinrae's review against another edition
3.0
Though it doesn't hold a candle to The Time Traveler's Wife, I enjoyed this book. There is a nice twist at the end that perhaps I was the only person naive enough to fail to predict, and the story is imaginative and requires suspension of disbelief (not an easy feat). My only criticisms were that the author attempted to develop too many characters which left many of them fairly flat, and the heart of the story isn't really fleshed out until about half way through. You can also tell the author wrote this with the hopes of turning it in to another movie. All in all, a fun read that's worth the time. The Time Traveler's Wife is a hard act to follow!
jennkei's review against another edition
Disappointing. :( I kept on reading, but yeah..didn't feel like I meshed with any of the characters.
sinisterbeard's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Unlikeable Posh People Making Baffling Descisions.
katiegilley's review against another edition
4.0
Another spooky book for October! This one focuses on a set of twins named Julia and Valentina. They are very dependent on each other and extremely enmeshed. The inherit a flat in London and a large sum of money from an estranged aunt (who was their mother's twin) whom they've never met. The one requirement? They must live in the flat a year before selling it and their mother and father are not allowed to enter the flat.returnreturnAfter they move on, strange things begin happening. Bitterly cold winds envelop them, lights begin to flicker, their television set goes out. Aunt Elspeth is in the house with them!returnreturnThere are lots of twists in turns in this, so I don't want to give too much away. I do have to say that it was a tad predictable and I would have liked a bit more spookiness. I would give it between 3.5 and 4 stars, but will go with 4 because I like to be generous!
tazzbury's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible read. Beautifully written, several surprises, very interesting ending.
trudy1963's review against another edition
2.0
When I started this book, I was intrigued by the characters and the author's writing style. I adored Martin and Robert - such quirky characters and the premise was so promising. But, the ending ruined the entire book. In fact, most of Part 3 (there were three parts to the story) was frustrating and agonizing to read. I must admit, Martin's ending was heart-lifting and Robert's final choice was a good one since by then any possible positive outcome had been eliminated.