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bluelilyblue's review against another edition
3.0
And she could not try to explain the magnetism they all exercised by their being static. Or how, after every return--or awakening, even, from sleep or preoccupation--she and these home surroundings still further penetrated each other mutually in the discovery of a lack.
Undeniably some of the most beautiful prose of early 20th century literature; Bowen fashions a landscape of uncertainty, at once political and personal, making such meticulous use of architectural and geographical detail (and what some may insist on calling purple prose, pejoratively or not). What I found to be lacking is emotional depth; the novel doesn't foreground Lois's coming-of-age narrative, but jumps from one character to another, never fully exploring their psychological intricacies.
rmhollars's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
_jessica_08_'s review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/10/27/review-2053-1929-club-the-last-september/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/10/27/review-2053-1929-club-the-last-september/
hlyter64's review against another edition
5.0
In my one sentence review era because I have too many essays! Lots to love about this, for me it was how you think it’s going to be one thing (country house novel full of parties and drawing room conversations set in an idyllic countryside), but the writing is pervaded by unease, tension and dark irony. Definitely one to reread, there are so many hidden nuances!
mugsandmanuscripts's review against another edition
3.0
More complex than it appears at first. The characters aren't particularly likable, but I don't think they're supposed to be. Once I actually started to understand the storyline, I enjoyed the book much more, but it took a while to get into the story.
mad_books_'s review against another edition
An interesting fictional account of what life was like in Ireland during colonization and the cognitive dissonance and fatigue that submerged upon England’s arrival. I say cognitive dissonance and fatigue specifically in reference to the character’s attitudes towards the British soldiers (for example, inviting them to tennis parties and getting romantically involved when the English are there to force them into oppression) but it is prevalent as well in their attitudes towards the war itself. I gave this book two stars for the aforementioned qualities but only three stars because it was a bit of a drag and I would likely have DNF’d it had I not been forced to read it for school.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
I know that the point of the book is that the ordinary life of the upper class goes on barely disturbed in the midst of revolution, but that ordinary life is so staggeringly boring that I was too annoyed with the book to appreciate that point.