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katrinkirjat's review against another edition
2.0
Lumous ei lumonnut minua. Kirja oli hyvä: kieli oli kaunista ja kuvailevaa, tarinakaan ei ollut huono. Kirjan henkilöhahmot olivat hyvin eläväisiä. Mitä nyt päähenkilö ei oikein herättänyt positiivisia saati negatiivisia tunteita, lähinnä suurta ihmetystä. Mutta kirja ei ehkä ollut ihan mun lajityyppiä. Kuin venynyt novelli, jossa tapahtui vain joukko irrallisia asioita ja välillä mikään ei tuntunut liittyvän mihinkään.
Kirjan luki melko nopeasti (tai kirjan lukee melko nopeasti, jos on aikaa ja tarpeeksi innostusta) ja välillä tarinakin ihan askarrutti mieltä. "Mitä nyt? Mitä seuraavaksi? Onpa hullua!"
Kirja oli yhtäaikaa hyvä, kiehtova ja silti siitä jäi sellainen olo, että siitä puuttui jotain. Jokin. Enkä tiedä mikä.
Aion lukea jatkossa kyllä lisää Hustvedtiä!
sb27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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? No
3.0
Not as enjoyable as I was expecting.
lynnsikora's review
4.0
A very unique story. This was my second book by this author and didn't know what to expect going in.
nikchick's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this novel because I heard that Hustvedt had based the town she calls Webster on Northfield, MN. Indeed, the details of Division Street, the Ideal cafe, the Stuart hotel, the community theater at the Arts Guild, the names and personality-types are all plucked straight from the reality of my experience in Northfield. That said, I found the story itself to be the weakest part of the novel. I anticipated much of the plot and the "twists" were no surprise. it wasn't until the end of the book that the characters seemed approachably human and by then there wasn't enough story left to engage with them. I've given it three stars because I enjoyed the way the backdrop of Northfield was worked into the book but in all other ways it left me feeling it was just "ok."
lauren_endnotes's review
1.0
The book had a strong beginning, and I felt it had a lot of potential. I read about 100 pages and my opinion of the book began to decline. After a very interesting start, I became confused about where the author was going with the story. Too many elements were brought in, and it just became muddled. There were some highlights however, among those, how Lily and Mabel's relationship grew.
I was not enthusiastic about this story, but I plan to give Hustvedt another chance.
I was not enthusiastic about this story, but I plan to give Hustvedt another chance.
slipperbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite what I expected but pretty amazing book. I loved the interactions between characters, especially between Lily and Ed.
anatomydetective's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This book was a pleasant, quick read, but I don't think I will ever find myself thinking of the characters again. This is yet another novel that I thought would be more interesting if it focused on one of the other characters. Authors often seem to have this problem where they create a mostly dull main character who discovers bits and pieces of the lives of characters who are much more interesting than the protagonist.
vipsahtanut's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Stalking
Minor: Violence
actualtina's review
2.0
I read the whole thing, but I didn't get it. Weird. Strange old timey flavour. Just really not for me.
Also, what's with the cover? It makes no sense. Isn't Lily dark haired?
Also, what's with the cover? It makes no sense. Isn't Lily dark haired?