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marytamtam's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The prose is stunning, her writing is just superbe. The characters were still haunting me days after finishing the book.
ljutavidra's review against another edition
3.0
Konačno sam je završila!!!!!
Nije me zanimalo šta će se desiti!!!!
Likovi nezanimljivi!!! Vau!!!!
Jedino mi je žao što je ideja dobra, ali baš slabo izvedena. Žao mi je bilo da dam dve zvezdice, pa poklanjam tri.
Inače, kakvo je to ime Vesey, zaboga?
Nije me zanimalo šta će se desiti!!!!
Likovi nezanimljivi!!! Vau!!!!
Jedino mi je žao što je ideja dobra, ali baš slabo izvedena. Žao mi je bilo da dam dve zvezdice, pa poklanjam tri.
Inače, kakvo je to ime Vesey, zaboga?
laila4343's review against another edition
5.0
Exquisitely written tale of two people who fell in love young. The man didn't commit, the woman couldn't pursue, she gets married to another boring guy because that's what young women did, first guy shows up again, is not stable, ripples of chaos start unfolding. What will she do? Leave her daughter and husband for her "true love?" Is he worth it? Oh, the delicious melancholy drama! Taylor is marvelous writing about the quiet compromises and reality of marriage. Must read more E. Taylor!
thebookboy's review against another edition
3.0
A strange, melancholy sort of book that explores the enduring power of a first love and what this means for the people involved.
In many ways this should have been a favourite - I love stories like these and I think Elizabeth Taylor is a truly fantastic writer, capable of crafting such beautifully evocative images that she's almost a painter of words. A good example is found on the first page of this book - the children running through fields of pollen-laden flowers in their quest to play hide and seek - absolutely gorgeous.
However, I felt about halfway through that this novel took a bit of a downturn and became less engaging. It certainly wasn't bad by any means, but I found myself a bit disconnected from the plot and my thoughts meandering, a shame as I found the first half intoxicating.
I'll still read more Taylor in the future, but this definitely wasn't a favourite.
In many ways this should have been a favourite - I love stories like these and I think Elizabeth Taylor is a truly fantastic writer, capable of crafting such beautifully evocative images that she's almost a painter of words. A good example is found on the first page of this book - the children running through fields of pollen-laden flowers in their quest to play hide and seek - absolutely gorgeous.
However, I felt about halfway through that this novel took a bit of a downturn and became less engaging. It certainly wasn't bad by any means, but I found myself a bit disconnected from the plot and my thoughts meandering, a shame as I found the first half intoxicating.
I'll still read more Taylor in the future, but this definitely wasn't a favourite.
kathieboucher's review against another edition
4.0
Slow and quiet, written with deftness, subtlety, and dark wit, this novel explores a teenage infatuation that comes back to haunt in later life. Does Harriet want her comfortable marriage with Charles, or the dream of what might have been with Vesey?
As Caleb Crain writes in the introduction, "A difficulty in seeing what one wants is part of the game, after all. One begins to play by covering one's eyes."
As Caleb Crain writes in the introduction, "A difficulty in seeing what one wants is part of the game, after all. One begins to play by covering one's eyes."
vicncheese's review against another edition
Too many characters. It is hard to follow and care about the character and their backgrounds.
emilybh's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful book that I'd never heard of before buying (partly, I must admit, due to its lovely cover) however its comparison to Wuthering Heights and Persuasion in the introduction was largely justified. It tells the story of love lost, and found when its too late. A sensitive, intimate portrayal of a young woman's struggle to fulfil her duties and find a place in society. A very touching novel, written beautifully.
teresac's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5