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lisamck's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
4.5★
Is everyone familiar with the Biblical story of Jacob & Esau?
Flighty Esau sold his birthright to younger brother Jacob for a mess (meal)of red pottage. (probably a red lentil soup or stew) Jacob doesn't come out of that tale as a very nice person, frankly!
This is the Lentil Soup I made last week.
More like a stew really and so is this book.
After a compelling start with Hugh's affair with the shallow Lady Newhaven & subsequently falling deeply in love with the newly wealthy Rachel, this book seems to lose track for a while. I waited impatiently for the story to get on track with But side stories were introduced. After a while the side stories for gifted author Hester and her self righteous brother and sister-in-law also became engrossing - indeed their resolution was an absolutely shattering part of the book. Around the last 40% was compelling reading. Unfortunately, on my copy anyway, Cholmondely lost her way with a feeble postscript. It was like the author couldn't bear to have a happy ending only for
It wouldn't have been an easy read, but I think this book would work better if it had gone for complete tragedy, but the final third was still a really good read.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
Is everyone familiar with the Biblical story of Jacob & Esau?
Flighty Esau sold his birthright to younger brother Jacob for a mess (meal)of red pottage. (probably a red lentil soup or stew) Jacob doesn't come out of that tale as a very nice person, frankly!
This is the Lentil Soup I made last week.
More like a stew really and so is this book.
After a compelling start with Hugh's affair with the shallow Lady Newhaven & subsequently falling deeply in love with the newly wealthy Rachel, this book seems to lose track for a while. I waited impatiently for the story to get on track with
Spoiler
Lord Newhaven's revenge.Spoiler
the awful Greasley husband and wife and a couple of minor characters.It wouldn't have been an easy read, but I think this book would work better if it had gone for complete tragedy, but the final third was still a really good read.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
yeahdeadslow's review against another edition
4.0
OH. What a journey I’ve been on. This book had me laughing, gasping at the plot twists, and wishing I could strangle certain characters. I loved that the friendship between Rachel and Hester was at the heart of the book. (Though their devotion to each other was clear, I would not have complained if the book had contained more of them together.) I found the ending satisfying, though I feel the postscript tried to detract from its unconventionality. Let Rachel and Hester be old maids together!!!
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