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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Not as fiercely memorable asTHE SPARROW, but Russell remains on my list as uniquely gifted authors.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think, for me, the struggle with this novel is that it casts a wide net and has a lot of different threads stretching through it that, to me, never really come back together the way I hoped they would.
It's a very good novel and has all kinds of great character moments, but I felt always at a bit of a remove. Or...something. I think my general disinterest in WWII may be playing a factor here. Though I do like the approach of the novel. Using a big, world shattering event as a backdrop to the story.
But, yeah, I actually don't have a lot to say here. I didn't love it nor did I hate it. It has some great moments and even executes everything probably exactly how I would have. But I found myself never really diving fully into the novel.
My first stumble in a Mary Doria Russell novel.
It's a very good novel and has all kinds of great character moments, but I felt always at a bit of a remove. Or...something. I think my general disinterest in WWII may be playing a factor here. Though I do like the approach of the novel. Using a big, world shattering event as a backdrop to the story.
But, yeah, I actually don't have a lot to say here. I didn't love it nor did I hate it. It has some great moments and even executes everything probably exactly how I would have. But I found myself never really diving fully into the novel.
My first stumble in a Mary Doria Russell novel.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It captures the humanity, tragedy and sorrow of war but couples that with the beauty of love and redemption.
Especially poignant at this moment in American history, when fascism is at the fore.
Especially poignant at this moment in American history, when fascism is at the fore.
I picked this one up since I really liked her other books. So far, this one is totally different. Not sci-fi at all, but a story about WWII. A little slow going, tons of characters - not really sure what I think yet.
Finally finished last night! This book was not the greatest for me. It was really hard to keep track of all the characters and I had to look at the list in the front of the book telling who was who a LOT! The story was interesting, but there were just so many different things happening to so many different people that I couldn't keep up. I would only recommend it for someone VERY interested in learning about what went on in Italy during the second world war. It does tell another side of the story and made me appreciate what some people did to help others in need during a very dark time in history.
Finally finished last night! This book was not the greatest for me. It was really hard to keep track of all the characters and I had to look at the list in the front of the book telling who was who a LOT! The story was interesting, but there were just so many different things happening to so many different people that I couldn't keep up. I would only recommend it for someone VERY interested in learning about what went on in Italy during the second world war. It does tell another side of the story and made me appreciate what some people did to help others in need during a very dark time in history.
This is a beautiful, haunting story about the horrors of war and how humanity, courage and kindness was evident even in the most terrible time. So well told that it is worth experiencing, just to know these characters for a time.
Not my favorite. The Sparrow was incredible, so maybe I judged this book in comparsion.
A wonderful read. I learned so much about Italy and the Jews whose lives were saved during WWII and this small piece of history so few know about. Russell does an amazing job of creating characters who are fully human, filled with virtue and vice and mixed motivations. Characters who refuse to be stereotyped or caricatures of others.
There is much to appreciate in Russell's writing. She is uncompromising when it comes to telling a fully human tale and this one though fiction is so deeply researched and based in the messiness of human lives and wartime that you almost forget it is fiction. It is well worth your energy and time.
There is much to appreciate in Russell's writing. She is uncompromising when it comes to telling a fully human tale and this one though fiction is so deeply researched and based in the messiness of human lives and wartime that you almost forget it is fiction. It is well worth your energy and time.
dark
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No