Reviews

The Good People by Hannah Kent

ekline's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 ⭐️

donna32's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

shoelessmama's review against another edition

dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I needed to find a book that was set between 1800-1850 and was struggling to find anything that sounded interesting that I hadn't already read. Then this came up in my search and after finding Burial Rites extremely compelling I was intrigued. This has a similar feel to it... telling women's stories with nuance and depth. Both novels are devastating in their own ways and I think you need to be in the proper mood to read them. I couldn't really take mood into account since book club meeting is quickly approaching but I think the forced speed at which I had to get through it worked in my favor.

This story was based on a newspaper clipping the author came across about a woman accused of murder who said she'd done it because she was trying to "cure a fairy struck child". The novel delves into all the reasons people came to believe the things they did- the superstitions. I love how the author writes her characters so that you can empathize with them while also struggling to understand their reasoning or their actions. I think it has echoes into modern day in how fear leads us to believe things that are not true. I found the story fascinating for that reason and I really enjoy this authors style.

jrmarr's review against another edition

5.0

A wonderful and worthy follow up to 'Burial Rites'. Vividly written and underpinned by exceptional research, I found it both difficult to read and unable to put it down. A strange sense of foreboding lives in these pages - you can't help but be drawn into the magic of the Good People, only to be brought down to earth once the action moves to town. 4.5 stars for this one. It would have been 5 but there were occasional times when I felt it was going over the same ground again, but that is definitely not a deal breaker. A great read.

burntout_bookworm's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-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

3.0

I do think I like Hannah Kent's writing I just yet haven't clicked with any of the stories yet.

hailsreads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

markgoodyer's review against another edition

4.0

As with Burial Rights, Kent has a great ability to transport the reader far back in time and present the environment in a respectful and believable manner. Portraying characters with respect and empathy Kent has you right there by their side for reader to learn and understand their beliefs and their daily work as well as their struggles and fears.

Great work based on an almost unbelievable event.

deerisms's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Child abuse

bethanllystawel's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

emily__kay's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

2.0