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angelarrrgh's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
eyreguide's review against another edition
2.0
This is a very short novel, which delves into it's character's personalities and motivations in a rather unapproachable, abbreviated style. The story is from the point of view of the servants who know that their employers are about to commit a murder suicide and plan for it accordingly, by seeing how they can profit the most from the situation. The reader is thrown into the midst of their preparations and must put together the pieces of the backstory as the author drops the clues and hints amidst the seemingly random witty asides made by the characters. It's an interesting idea of a story with a great angle - the servants profiting from the foolish indiscretions of their employers - but the story comes off as rambling and self-indulgent at times, highlighting the absurd in humanity.
I picked up this book because it was listed as a Jane Eyre derivative, but aside from the Gothic themes and the madman in the attic, there isn't much of a direct connection or homage to that novel. Perhaps certain characters were included as a pastiche on elements of Jane Eyre. Overall, this is a very curious story with a witty satiric style that I felt was overly-favored over the development of the story.
I picked up this book because it was listed as a Jane Eyre derivative, but aside from the Gothic themes and the madman in the attic, there isn't much of a direct connection or homage to that novel. Perhaps certain characters were included as a pastiche on elements of Jane Eyre. Overall, this is a very curious story with a witty satiric style that I felt was overly-favored over the development of the story.
loz1327's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mpatshi's review against another edition
First line:
The other servants fall silent as Lister enters the room.
The other servants fall silent as Lister enters the room.
nobodyatall's review against another edition
2.0
The writing is brilliant but I just could get into the novel. It didn't really flow for me.
matthewn's review
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Madcap and mysterious literary fantasy.
drinkthefloor's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This was so unbelievably boring and I only read it because it was short and the blurb intrigued me.
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Suicide
dianustita's review
4.0
Absurd, confusing, amusing, bewildering, funny.. somewhere near Chasm, but not that weird, but still kinda weird?
bookdon's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5