Reviews

“I wondered how many people there were in the world who suffered, and continued to suffer, because they could not break out from their own web of shyness and reserve, and in their blindness and folly built up a great distorted wall in front of them that hid the truth.”

I took my time reading this because it was written in such beautiful details. I feel like I wouldn't give it justice if I had read it on my usual pace. Originally read this because apparently it inspired Taylor Swift's "tolerate it" which is a beautiful sad sad painful song. So honestly I don't know what exactly I was expecting when I picked up this book other than, well, a painful book.

There is a Lot in this book; of course, the romance, which felt like the main part of it - but it's also mystery and thriller - and even in the themes it varies all the way from class and power, to marriage, to grief and love, coming of age... It's such a well-rounded book? And there is something about the way it's written that makes you feel the pain of the narrator and watch her evolve and grow and change to a more mature version of herself. And I think something very impressive that du Maurier did in this book is that no matter how horrible the things that her characters are doing, you empathise and you root for them anyway. I think that is the best point you can get to in writing a book, to be able to create that kind of unconditional support from the readers.

Also in awe of the narrator's character development. There is something empowering in the way she rose and grew; and how her choices are hers and she owns up to them - and knowing that other people can't say anything about them.

carolinejenica's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

hermiocow's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

julianepgn's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

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