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znvisser's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It feels like this story was written for me personally: the family relationships, the multiple POVs, all the emotions, the links to historical events, the influence of a place where you did part of your growing up, the sea…
The writing, nostalgia and the symbolism hit me at the first chapter and made me fall in love right away. The sea served both as a border and a portal, and most of all as a place whereby Beatrix learned to feel community, belonging, being at home. As William puts it years later: “Funny how places become part of who we are.” Anyone who has known such a place in their lives, will definitely find this story resonating more strongly with them.
The writing, nostalgia and the symbolism hit me at the first chapter and made me fall in love right away. The sea served both as a border and a portal, and most of all as a place whereby Beatrix learned to feel community, belonging, being at home. As William puts it years later: “Funny how places become part of who we are.” Anyone who has known such a place in their lives, will definitely find this story resonating more strongly with them.
Despite the many characters the POVs were executed really well. The short chapters from all of those involved have a beautiful pace, almost feeling like a pile of connected short stories, with half-open endings. These beautifully portray the unique details of their characters and all the complicated and layered emotions that the people involved in such a situation are having, and in those coming together, their completely different ways of dealing with them. And later on, it shows the power of memories and their individuality. Gosh, this was beautiful: the parallels, the uneasiness when different worlds collide, the little shifts that change everything… To me, this was a perfect read. And yes, the ending was predictable, but it was also the way I hoped it would turn out from quite early on, because it just made the most sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Alcoholism, Animal death, Car accident, Infidelity, and War
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
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