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jovotestargaryen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A Place of Greater Safety is Hilary Mantel’s venture into the complex heart of the French Revolution. Any fans of Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy will be familiar with her mesmeric prose. Where Wolf Hall requires a trance-like attention from the reader to enjoy the fully immersive experience of 16th century England, the back drop of the French Revolution demands vast depths of concentration to follow the notoriously convoluted events of 1790s Paris. Factions emerge like heads of the Hydra, streets, parliaments, even characters change names at a pace that can be bamboozling. Mantel is a solid shepherd, however, navigating the history with confidence and aplomb.
In the midst of uprisings and riots, Mantel’s eye remains firmly on the human experience of her central triumvirate- Robespierre, Danton and (to my knowledge at least) the less famous Camille Desmoulins. It is Camille from whom the novel receives its heart. He is at once infuriating and infatuating, ambitious and directionless. His romances are peculiar and captivating, his politics shocking and clear. Danton is more rugged, a brutish presence to which one is drawn almost against one’s will. Robespierre is the most oblique and sinister figure, drawn with compassion which makes his involvement in The Terror even more disturbing.
Events which might seem like natural crescendos for a novel about the French Revolution are covered with a brevity akin to breath on a mirror. Heads fall as quickly as the dropping blade of the guillotine. It feels apt, if at times eerily underwhelming, for a book focused on one of the most seismic events of European history that seemed to achieve none of what its revolutionaries hoped to achieve.
Without ever reaching the heights of the Wolf Hall trilogy, A Place of Greater Safety is an accomplished novel well worth your time. Mantel and 18th century France novices may feel a bit intimidated by its scope but the experience is certain to be rewarding.
In the midst of uprisings and riots, Mantel’s eye remains firmly on the human experience of her central triumvirate- Robespierre, Danton and (to my knowledge at least) the less famous Camille Desmoulins. It is Camille from whom the novel receives its heart. He is at once infuriating and infatuating, ambitious and directionless. His romances are peculiar and captivating, his politics shocking and clear. Danton is more rugged, a brutish presence to which one is drawn almost against one’s will. Robespierre is the most oblique and sinister figure, drawn with compassion which makes his involvement in The Terror even more disturbing.
Events which might seem like natural crescendos for a novel about the French Revolution are covered with a brevity akin to breath on a mirror. Heads fall as quickly as the dropping blade of the guillotine. It feels apt, if at times eerily underwhelming, for a book focused on one of the most seismic events of European history that seemed to achieve none of what its revolutionaries hoped to achieve.
Without ever reaching the heights of the Wolf Hall trilogy, A Place of Greater Safety is an accomplished novel well worth your time. Mantel and 18th century France novices may feel a bit intimidated by its scope but the experience is certain to be rewarding.
torpedo_fish's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The French Revolution was chaos, and this book mimics that feeling. It's challenging to follow even with a good knowledge of the main characters and beats of the Revolution. I imagine it would be borderline incomprehensible without that knowledge.
You're drawn along with these deeply flawed characters as they Wile E. Coyote themselves off of a cliff in search of something, then have no choice but to keep running forward until they fall. Tense, exhilarating, tragic.
You're drawn along with these deeply flawed characters as they Wile E. Coyote themselves off of a cliff in search of something, then have no choice but to keep running forward until they fall. Tense, exhilarating, tragic.
cathyg12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
julesxox3's review against another edition
3.0
Finally finished this one after reading on it for nearly a year. It's not bad but different than I expected and way too long. It's not a book that is readable just in between something, you need to concentrate for it. It's kind of dull and yet has something enjoyable dur to a refreshing reading style!
jessln23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
remainingwesty's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
saranies's review
3.0
This was a very long read. It felt like there was too much going on for Mantel to create the sympathetic characters that she did in Wolf Hall; I would probably have enjoyed this more if it were just Camille.
sozh's review
4.0
Is this a short read? No.
Is this an easy read? No.
Is it confusing? At times.
Will you learn more than you ever wanted to know about Camille Desmoulins, Georges-Jaqcues Danton and Maximilen Robespierre? Yes.
Is it a masterpiece? Not my call to make, but yeah, I'd say it is.
Could it benefit from an editor? I'd say it could, but then again, where would you start when presented with a manuscript a foot high?
Would I recommend? Yes, but I think Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies are much more accessible, and, dare I say, fun.
Four stars for a masterpiece that -- frankly -- went over my head at times, in terms of the nuances of the politics and the sheer volume of characters.
Is this an easy read? No.
Is it confusing? At times.
Will you learn more than you ever wanted to know about Camille Desmoulins, Georges-Jaqcues Danton and Maximilen Robespierre? Yes.
Is it a masterpiece? Not my call to make, but yeah, I'd say it is.
Could it benefit from an editor? I'd say it could, but then again, where would you start when presented with a manuscript a foot high?
Would I recommend? Yes, but I think Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies are much more accessible, and, dare I say, fun.
Four stars for a masterpiece that -- frankly -- went over my head at times, in terms of the nuances of the politics and the sheer volume of characters.
alice_horoshev's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
History made by men. Mantel makes the main heroes so vivid and human❤️