Reviews

Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie

trin's review

2.0

I'm completely in love with this show right now. The characters are lovely, the relationships complicated, the scenery beautiful...



Ahem. Anyway, it's a complex, politically aware, smart, savvy show and I adore it.

It's based on this book which is...perfectly pleasant, I suppose (with the exception of the story where

Spoiler

Amanda is sexually assaulted and it's practically laughed off

), but frankly, verging on dull -- I think if I did not have the more vibrant TV-versions of the characters in my mind, I would flat-out say this book is boring. I definitely spent the entire time I was reading it wishing I was watching the show instead. Major props to Daisy Coulam, who developed the series; probably this book's greatest use would be for anyone interested in gleaning tips on how to create an intelligent adaptation.

For everyone else: WATCH THE SHOW!





You know...for the plot.

chaifanatic18's review

adventurous funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

mumsie_2's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

shareen17's review against another edition

3.0

Sidney Chambers is a pastor living in Grantchester, a small village outside of Cambridge, England. There is a lot of discussion of religion and ethics, which I often don't like in fiction, but thought was done well here. He keeps finding himself getting involved in solving local mysteries. This part of the novel I didn't think was very strong. The writing here is so simple that it lacks the suspense and the emotional impact that are a part of good mysteries. My favorite part of this book was the setting. Since I've been to most of the places mentioned in this book recently it was fun to read about.

gj377's review against another edition

2.0

Not great writing - TV adaption is much better, and the change in one of the stories is for the good as well. Book adds nothing.

turidt's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Sexual assault

organchordsandlightning's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thought it was a lot of fun! Canon Chambers is a likable main character, and it's genuinely really funny how much of his reaction is 'please don't make me get involved in this. I don't want to be doing this right now'. A larger portion of the book than I expected does revolve around Chambers' love life, which kind of made it drag, but a lot of fun overal!

kathieboucher's review against another edition

2.0

Really disappointing, wooden and flat. The PBS TV series is far superior to the book.

jwoodsum's review

4.0

Love Sydney & Geordie - great compliment to the tv series

judyapneeb's review against another edition

5.0

What a delight. I've started to watch the adaptation of this and thought it might be worth a visit. I know that there have been some reviews in which they discuss how much they like the show more than the book. I would have to disagree. Some of the melodrama that has seeped into the TV story isn't as fun as the book version. I think it's best to separate both and look at them at different angles.

I have the other three books on hold as well as the five title, which comes out in June. I look forward to visiting these characters again in their written form.