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sophiemia's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
shiv91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this book when I was 8 or 9 back in the 90s. I remember really loving it and recently, I came across it again and decided to re-read it.
However, what I do not remember is it being quite so dark! For a kids book at least, it's pretty intense in my opinion. When I first read it, I didn't like any of the characters and as adult, I'm of the same thinking it seems! I actually preferred Diabola to Angela haha.
A good read, even as an adult but I'd say if your child is in any way sensitive to violence or similar, that this book may not be for them.
A part of the book that stuck with me was:
"...She said terrible things. I said terrible things. I hate myself. I'm sorry dear, but I don't think I can carry on."
However, what I do not remember is it being quite so dark! For a kids book at least, it's pretty intense in my opinion. When I first read it, I didn't like any of the characters and as adult, I'm of the same thinking it seems! I actually preferred Diabola to Angela haha.
A good read, even as an adult but I'd say if your child is in any way sensitive to violence or similar, that this book may not be for them.
"...She said terrible things. I said terrible things. I hate myself. I'm sorry dear, but I don't think I can carry on."
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Blood
waynesm's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in grade 6, we had this very small bookshelf in our classroom. I only remember finishing this book. And because I could only read a couple of pages at a time, it took me the entire school year. I don't remember if I liked it or not, but I remember relating to the story. I'm giving it 5 stars because it still haunts me to this day
shinku's review against another edition
2.0
At first it's a cute story about a pair of twins who are polar opposites. Angela is a sweet little angel, while Diabola is.. well, diabolical. The first half of the book is about how their parents handled them, which is fun to read. The last half though, the story got weirder and weirder and eventually came to an equally weird ending. Too bad, but still a good read nonetheless.
casebook17's review
3.0
I loved this as a kid.
The thing I remember most about this was the art teacher comparing the twin girls drawings. Angela, of course as her name suggests, creates this idyllic happy landscape. Diabola however, creates a drawing of a brutal execution. That parents are horrified, the art teacher... ecstatic!
Look at the detail! She says.
It was a fun read as a child, with some interesting parallels. There was the family dynamic, which was believable, the witless but well meaning priest, and the mother, trying her hardest.
I was always rooting for the underdog, even back then. I always thought Diabola had more in her than she was given credit.
Would like to read again some day.
The thing I remember most about this was the art teacher comparing the twin girls drawings. Angela, of course as her name suggests, creates this idyllic happy landscape. Diabola however, creates a drawing of a brutal execution. That parents are horrified, the art teacher... ecstatic!
Look at the detail! She says.
It was a fun read as a child, with some interesting parallels. There was the family dynamic, which was believable, the witless but well meaning priest, and the mother, trying her hardest.
I was always rooting for the underdog, even back then. I always thought Diabola had more in her than she was given credit.
Would like to read again some day.
casebook's review
3.0
I loved this as a kid.
The thing I remember most about this was the art teacher comparing the twin girls drawings. Angela, of course as her name suggests, creates this idyllic happy landscape. Diabola however, creates a drawing of a brutal execution. That parents are horrified, the art teacher... ecstatic!
Look at the detail! She says.
It was a fun read as a child, with some interesting parallels. There was the family dynamic, which was believable, the witless but well meaning priest, and the mother, trying her hardest.
I was always rooting for the underdog, even back then. I always thought Diabola had more in her than she was given credit.
Would like to read again some day.
The thing I remember most about this was the art teacher comparing the twin girls drawings. Angela, of course as her name suggests, creates this idyllic happy landscape. Diabola however, creates a drawing of a brutal execution. That parents are horrified, the art teacher... ecstatic!
Look at the detail! She says.
It was a fun read as a child, with some interesting parallels. There was the family dynamic, which was believable, the witless but well meaning priest, and the mother, trying her hardest.
I was always rooting for the underdog, even back then. I always thought Diabola had more in her than she was given credit.
Would like to read again some day.
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