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jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting snapshot of Sydney in 1965, full of the conflict and fear surrounding conscription, the slow emergence of the opera house, and a general sense that things were changing, in spite of the conservatism of the times.
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
A book like Shell doesn’t come around every day, nor every year. This book is beautifully, tenderly written with every word crafted with an eye for detail. It is as admirable as the Sydney Opera House (the building of which is a major plot device) and as breathtaking as the glass sculptures crafted by Axel, one of the main characters. I can’t think of a better story to launch the Scribner Australia imprint. This is going to be an imprint to devour if Shell is any indication of the beauty and quality of the storytelling.
Shell describes two major occasions in Australian history, neither of which have been deeply explored in fiction to date. The first is the building of the Sydney Opera House, which for many Australians has just been there forever (myself included). It’s amazing to think that in the 1960s that it wasn’t finished with both the media and government attacking the project daily (and that was before social media). The second is the anti-war movement as Australia sends troops to Vietnam with protesters organising large scale disruption. Through the eyes of the two main characters, Pearl and Axel, both become personal.
Pearl is involved in the anti-war campaigns, but has had to take a backseat after being photographed during a protest has moved her career backwards from news journalists to the women’s pages. She’s still secretly involved, with a link on ‘the inside’ but her main motivation is much more personal. Her two brothers, who she feels she failed after they were placed in an orphanage, are of drafting age. Pearl doesn’t know where they are, but she wants to protect them at all costs. Axel has come from Sweden to work of glass sculptures for the Opera House. His hero is the architect, Jørn Utzon. He is desperate to meet Utzon and explain how his design for the Opera House makes him feel. Axel can’t understand the controversy and resistance against the project. This extends to the way some Australians act – it’s foreign to him. When he meets Pearl, little do either of them realise they have a lot in common. Missing, broken families and a desire for change.
Kristina Olsson’s writing is exquisite. Like how Axel sees the Opera House, it is art. Every detail of this novel is planned and executed to the finest detail. You will want to savour every single word, picture every scene and reflect on the conversations between characters. Although it’s not a long book, Shell should not be skimmed over quickly. This is a novel that reminds us of why we read – for the beauty and creation of worlds in our mind. Simply put, I loved this novel. I hungered for every detail about Pearl’s family and Axel’s sculptures. I loved the glimpses into a Sydney that is so different – slower and simpler - than today’s speedy metropolis.
Shell will not disappoint. I’ve overjoyed that this beautiful, Australian story will be shared with the world.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Shell describes two major occasions in Australian history, neither of which have been deeply explored in fiction to date. The first is the building of the Sydney Opera House, which for many Australians has just been there forever (myself included). It’s amazing to think that in the 1960s that it wasn’t finished with both the media and government attacking the project daily (and that was before social media). The second is the anti-war movement as Australia sends troops to Vietnam with protesters organising large scale disruption. Through the eyes of the two main characters, Pearl and Axel, both become personal.
Pearl is involved in the anti-war campaigns, but has had to take a backseat after being photographed during a protest has moved her career backwards from news journalists to the women’s pages. She’s still secretly involved, with a link on ‘the inside’ but her main motivation is much more personal. Her two brothers, who she feels she failed after they were placed in an orphanage, are of drafting age. Pearl doesn’t know where they are, but she wants to protect them at all costs. Axel has come from Sweden to work of glass sculptures for the Opera House. His hero is the architect, Jørn Utzon. He is desperate to meet Utzon and explain how his design for the Opera House makes him feel. Axel can’t understand the controversy and resistance against the project. This extends to the way some Australians act – it’s foreign to him. When he meets Pearl, little do either of them realise they have a lot in common. Missing, broken families and a desire for change.
Kristina Olsson’s writing is exquisite. Like how Axel sees the Opera House, it is art. Every detail of this novel is planned and executed to the finest detail. You will want to savour every single word, picture every scene and reflect on the conversations between characters. Although it’s not a long book, Shell should not be skimmed over quickly. This is a novel that reminds us of why we read – for the beauty and creation of worlds in our mind. Simply put, I loved this novel. I hungered for every detail about Pearl’s family and Axel’s sculptures. I loved the glimpses into a Sydney that is so different – slower and simpler - than today’s speedy metropolis.
Shell will not disappoint. I’ve overjoyed that this beautiful, Australian story will be shared with the world.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
ayami's review against another edition
2.0
Really wanted to love this book - I thought I would. Historical fiction, set in Sydney - sounded like a good fit. But it failed to catch my interest. The flowery language didn’t help, it only inflated the book with beautiful yet empty prose. Disappointing.
essjay1's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of descriptive language, beautifully written. An interesting reminder of the times - 1960’s Sydney- and the cultural cringe that existed.
zellm's review against another edition
2.0
This book was extremely boring to me - it felt like absolutely nothing happened. The characters weren't that interesting - I thought Axel had an interesting storyline, but not much development. This felt unnecessary and wandering, with not enough historical connection.
e11en's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
marais90's review
Book wasn't the type of story I expected and I also had a few other books competing for my attention.
nataliemeree's review against another edition
3.0
Well this book just wasn't for me. While I truly appreciated the beauty in the author's writing I found myself needing more pace. I needed more of a plot development.
I also found the connection between the two very different characters a big stretch. They both had very different stories that really did not sit well alongside each other. And I felt that the author created the relationship between the two so that she could tell both stories in one novel.
I gave Shell 3 stars because of the beautiful writing. If that hadn't of been on the pages then it would not have been more than a 2 star book for me.
In saying that, the author did open up a place in Australian history that I didn't know much about. The building of the Sydney Opera House really drew me in.
I do think that both Pearl and Axel deserve their own books though.
I also found the connection between the two very different characters a big stretch. They both had very different stories that really did not sit well alongside each other. And I felt that the author created the relationship between the two so that she could tell both stories in one novel.
I gave Shell 3 stars because of the beautiful writing. If that hadn't of been on the pages then it would not have been more than a 2 star book for me.
In saying that, the author did open up a place in Australian history that I didn't know much about. The building of the Sydney Opera House really drew me in.
I do think that both Pearl and Axel deserve their own books though.
callummac's review against another edition
5.0
“The drama of harbour and horizon, and at night, the star-clotted Sky. It held the shape of the possible, of a promise made and waiting to be kept.”
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Kristina Olsson’s Shell is a superb glimpse into 1960s Sydney. As Jørn Utzon’s stunning design comes to life on Sydney Harbour, two very different stories intertwine in the surrounding suburbs. Pearl Keogh, a journalist who defies Menzies’ Vietnam War conscription lottery, tries to protect her brothers from the catastrophe of war. Meanwhile, Danish glass-blower works to contribute his own artistry into Utzon’s creation. This novel is at once quiet and bold; an immense meditation on art and life in a city on the brink of devastating change. A must-read!
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Kristina Olsson’s Shell is a superb glimpse into 1960s Sydney. As Jørn Utzon’s stunning design comes to life on Sydney Harbour, two very different stories intertwine in the surrounding suburbs. Pearl Keogh, a journalist who defies Menzies’ Vietnam War conscription lottery, tries to protect her brothers from the catastrophe of war. Meanwhile, Danish glass-blower works to contribute his own artistry into Utzon’s creation. This novel is at once quiet and bold; an immense meditation on art and life in a city on the brink of devastating change. A must-read!
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polyhy_14's review against another edition
3.0
Skilful writing, and lots of historical interest surrounding the construction of the Sydney Opera House, the introduction of conscription during the Menzies government and an interesting sideline dealing with the Swedish Red Cross and the White Buses during WW2, but I couldn't seem to get inside the characters.