Scan barcode
robinwalter's review against another edition
I simply didn't care enough about any of the characters to continue reading
bookspluscaffeine's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed plenty about this book. The prose was engaging and accessible, but intelligent.
I saw the twist coming before the end, but it was done well enough that I didn't mind, and ultimately, the plot was not why I consumed this book in just a few gulps.
It's set in 2014 in Paris (as a slight Francophile, this was lovely, and I felt a nostalgia for past holidays as the characters roamed the streets). Clever observations about the complexities of living in modern day Europe, our relationship with past and present wider events as individuals and societies, and what it means to live in your second language are scattered throughout.
I must admit, many of the literary references went over my head, but I got the gist, and my not knowing them didn't detract from my enjoyment of the writing.
The characters were interesting, with complex relationships, and I took pleasure in watching these play out from the different perspectives. (I wanted to know more about some of them, but I understood them enough to believe their actions, and most of their thoughts.)
I recommend finding a comfy spot and settling in to read at a leisurely pace with a cup of tea in just a few sittings.
(Please note, I won an advance copy from publisher Allen & Unwin as part of a social media competition. This review is in no way sponsored, and views are my own).
I enjoyed plenty about this book. The prose was engaging and accessible, but intelligent.
I saw the twist coming before the end, but it was done well enough that I didn't mind, and ultimately, the plot was not why I consumed this book in just a few gulps.
It's set in 2014 in Paris (as a slight Francophile, this was lovely, and I felt a nostalgia for past holidays as the characters roamed the streets). Clever observations about the complexities of living in modern day Europe, our relationship with past and present wider events as individuals and societies, and what it means to live in your second language are scattered throughout.
I must admit, many of the literary references went over my head, but I got the gist, and my not knowing them didn't detract from my enjoyment of the writing.
The characters were interesting, with complex relationships, and I took pleasure in watching these play out from the different perspectives. (I wanted to know more about some of them, but I understood them enough to believe their actions, and most of their thoughts.)
I recommend finding a comfy spot and settling in to read at a leisurely pace with a cup of tea in just a few sittings.
(Please note, I won an advance copy from publisher Allen & Unwin as part of a social media competition. This review is in no way sponsored, and views are my own).
More...