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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Persephone Books Editions? They choose (typically female) authors who are lesser known and give their books an extra run. I actually got this one as a gift, and it was so good.
One of the things I loved best about this story is that Frankie frequently waffles between how she views Hetty, and the gossip surrounding Hetty is so strangely specific yet vague at the same time--it really allows us as the readers to decide how to interpret Hetty's character. That being said, this was published nearly 70 years ago, so certainly, we're probably able to interpret things much differently nowadays.
Personally? I really like Hetty. She's quirky, and fun, and doesn't want to be called upon. Ever. She's ran away from a bad past, and found herself a new beau. Good for her! She's living her best life. Granted, in 1947, this might be seen as an unseemly life, but in good ol' 2018, I'm lovin' it. And her. To be fair, I might have thought that Frankie was going to have a life-long crush and lesbian quarter-life crisis about Hetty. She didn't, but hey, it was 1947.
Review cross-listed here!
One of the things I loved best about this story is that Frankie frequently waffles between how she views Hetty, and the gossip surrounding Hetty is so strangely specific yet vague at the same time--it really allows us as the readers to decide how to interpret Hetty's character. That being said, this was published nearly 70 years ago, so certainly, we're probably able to interpret things much differently nowadays.
Personally? I really like Hetty. She's quirky, and fun, and doesn't want to be called upon. Ever. She's ran away from a bad past, and found herself a new beau. Good for her! She's living her best life. Granted, in 1947, this might be seen as an unseemly life, but in good ol' 2018, I'm lovin' it. And her. To be fair, I might have thought that Frankie was going to have a life-long crush and lesbian quarter-life crisis about Hetty. She didn't, but hey, it was 1947.
Review cross-listed here!
teresac's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ladybookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
3.0
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Persephone but then, none of them are terrible.
Well, there was the one that I really didn't like. Maybe two. Anyway, three stars for Hetty Dorval.
Well, there was the one that I really didn't like. Maybe two. Anyway, three stars for Hetty Dorval.
erinmcentegart's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
irisirae's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
1.0
"Those two were as much part of me in their unitedness and their beauty and their inevitability as were day and night."
bronwynmb's review against another edition
4.0
This was really beautifully written, but the story was a bit thin and I felt like I never really knew the characters or their motivations. It was Ethel Wilson’s first novella, and the afterword says she built upon this in other books, but it still felt thin. I really enjoyed the idea of it though, and I loved the descriptions, so I’ll rate it generously. I have a feeling I’ll think about it for a while.
rachocambo's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75