Reviews

The River Girl by Wendy Cope, Nicholas Garland

millieoldwood's review

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reflective fast-paced

2.0

emilychau's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-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

3.0

jennykeery's review against another edition

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4.0

'The Thames has whispered through another night.'

I read that line - which is only the second line in the bloody book - and had to close my eyes and take a moment to accept that I will never write anything as good. It's fine. I'm fine, really.

The River Girl is a poem that Wendy Cope was commissioned to write. It's aimed at children, and although it has a fairy tale feel and a strong sense of repetition and rhyme, I do wonder if it would hold the attention of any kids I know (especially the bits about the poets sitting around and dissing their publishers). That said, it's wonderfully written and dripping with irony and scorn for pretentious literary types. The story follows a daughter of the Thames as she falls in love with a poet who doesn't actually, er, write very much. Cope has the feel of a myth or a fable absolutely nailed and I really enjoyed this one.

hannahh's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

heather_palmer's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

abievans's review against another edition

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3.0

Nice little story, very pretty but i dont think id ever reread
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