Reviews

The Life and Death of Harriett Frean by May Sinclair

rangsi's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

an_everyday_penguin's review

3.0

It read surprisingly easily for a book written in 1922. It felt very contemporary, as if it could have been written today. I had to read this for a class, so that aspect I appreciated a lot since it wasn't such a slog to get through. It's the main reason why I didn't absolutely hate it. That and the fact that it's super short and didn't take that long to read. However, I could not stand Harriett at all. Her character annoyed me so much and I hated her. She is unbelievably arrogant and immature, and her character got worse and worse as the book went on. I think it was supposed to show her decline at the end, but it was hard to read it when I didn't like her even at the beginning.

alexiacambaling's review

emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

elysareadsitall's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very intriguing short read. It explored the complexities of families and how making yourself completely dependent on them can be damaging. This is one of the (not quite scariest, but sort of) most uncomfortable pieces of fiction I've ever read, but I think it is important.

emma6544's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

anjailka's review

3.0

This was really really strange and a bit depressing, especially because I read it at 11 pm, waiting for my turn in an emergency room. Sinclair took my hand and carried me along the life of Harriet, a woman who could not be any more different from me if she tried. I don't think I took much from the story with me and I didn't learn anything either, but I still caught a glimpse of a very different life in a different time and spent just three instead of five hours staring at the wall and hoping to be next.

maccymacd's review against another edition

3.0

A very strange book, but one with quite an important message to be had.
'Life and Death of Harriet Frean' follows our lead from the day she is born until the day she dies. It chronicles her hopes, desires, adoration of her parents and horror at being the love object of her best friend's husband. Each chapter is a few years ahead, and it's rather poignant to watch Harriet's slow decline as she loses first one, then both of her beloved parents and has to contend with living alone.

readingwithsammi's review against another edition

2.0

Read for Boxall’s list.

In about 85 pages you see Harriets entire life - from birth to death. It’s a tad depressing as it seems Harriet has a few regrets.

Overall not one I’d recommend but it’s so short it’s ok. It’s also easy to read which is always a plus when picking from Boxall’s list.

blankgarden's review against another edition

4.0

My thoughts: https://theblankgarden.com/2021/06/07/review-the-life-and-death-of-harriett-frean-by-may-sinclair/

balancinghistorybooks's review against another edition

5.0

I reread The Life and Death of Harriett Frean for my thesis, as Sinclair is an author whom I am focusing on. I loved the book the first time around, and my second encounter with it was no different. First published in 1922, elements of the novella feel incredibly modern. I love the way in which Harriett is followed from her early childhood until her last days. Sinclair's account of the life of a fictionalised Victorian woman, who goes against gender stereotypes in several ways, is a joy and delight; her characterisation is exquisite.