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tessyoung's review against another edition
4.0
For such a short novel there's a complexity that reveals itself not only during the reading but after its conclusion.
The light often frivolous exaggerated tone of the novel reflects the speech patterns of its characters both in dialogue but also style. While much of the wit comes from this tone, beyond this effusion is a fragility of position and experience, and an edge of desperation among a group of young women trying to live beyond the pain and experience of war through suppressing it. Some may think these real life events hardly touch these somewhat silly, self absorbed characters, but I feel they are trying very hard, but not very convincingly, to remain untouched.
This book has Spark's lightness of touch but also eye for detail that makes it such a rich read however brief. You could wonder how you could really get a sense of the ensemble cast of characters in so few pages, but you do.
The violence at the end, including in the VE celebrations, is a chilling reminder, should we need it, that there is nothing frivolous in making it through a war.
The light often frivolous exaggerated tone of the novel reflects the speech patterns of its characters both in dialogue but also style. While much of the wit comes from this tone, beyond this effusion is a fragility of position and experience, and an edge of desperation among a group of young women trying to live beyond the pain and experience of war through suppressing it. Some may think these real life events hardly touch these somewhat silly, self absorbed characters, but I feel they are trying very hard, but not very convincingly, to remain untouched.
This book has Spark's lightness of touch but also eye for detail that makes it such a rich read however brief. You could wonder how you could really get a sense of the ensemble cast of characters in so few pages, but you do.
The violence at the end, including in the VE celebrations, is a chilling reminder, should we need it, that there is nothing frivolous in making it through a war.
nneka's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Spark has such a fascinating way with words. I initially found it hard to get into with the flash backs and flash forwards, but I found it hard to put down by the end. Really quick and fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
gobby_gilbert's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
itspeachie's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
greta5's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
maurice6300's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
erboe501's review against another edition
5.0
I love Muriel Spark. She's so sharp, such an incredible writer. This book was absolute gold. I underlined all over the place. Funny and visceral but also magical. And packed quite a punch of an ending--one I wasn't expecting, although she set us up well for the grand finale. Before I read this novel, I knew I wanted to work through her oeuvre (I've read 2 already). Now I for sure want to read everything she wrote and about her!