Scan barcode
chll_momchil's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 - I really feel like this book is sadly underrated.
timinbc's review
3.0
Meh. For me, this had one foot in the boat and one on the dock.
As a fantasy, it tries too hard to be an Important Book About Humanity.
As an Important Book About Humanity, it is possibly weakened by the fantasy.
OTOH, if it had been presented only as an IBAH, I wouldn't have read it, so author wins.
First off, I was uncomfortable with Axl & Beatrice, mostly for personal reasons - my mother died of Alzheimer's Disease, and I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society. But I award a point for the no-candle thing, which I chose to read as "at your age, of COURSE you're mentally feeble."
When we met the knight, I was immediately convinced that he was the White Knight from Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. The description is a strong match. I couldn't shake that despite later reveals.
The whole boatman thing was, I felt, laboured and unsubtle. It doesn't even matter whether or not it's Avalon. I must have just totally missed the point of Edwin and his mother, and I'm not sure why we needed a cluster of insane monks.
I get the concept of the what the Buried Giant is, and it's good. OK, very good. It's a strong backbone to build a story on. Just as a dragon's memory-killing breath isn't. If you use that, you have to explain how the breath survives wind and rain; is it a one-application topical medicine that affects how memory is processed from short-term to long?
As a fantasy, it tries too hard to be an Important Book About Humanity.
As an Important Book About Humanity, it is possibly weakened by the fantasy.
OTOH, if it had been presented only as an IBAH, I wouldn't have read it, so author wins.
First off, I was uncomfortable with Axl & Beatrice, mostly for personal reasons - my mother died of Alzheimer's Disease, and I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society. But I award a point for the no-candle thing, which I chose to read as "at your age, of COURSE you're mentally feeble."
When we met the knight, I was immediately convinced that he was the White Knight from Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. The description is a strong match. I couldn't shake that despite later reveals.
The whole boatman thing was, I felt, laboured and unsubtle. It doesn't even matter whether or not it's Avalon. I must have just totally missed the point of Edwin and his mother, and I'm not sure why we needed a cluster of insane monks.
I get the concept of the what the Buried Giant is, and it's good. OK, very good. It's a strong backbone to build a story on. Just as a dragon's memory-killing breath isn't. If you use that, you have to explain how the breath survives wind and rain; is it a one-application topical medicine that affects how memory is processed from short-term to long?
chez_abaa's review against another edition
This novel left me perplexed. I do not know how to rate it as it both tired me (and drove me nuts) but the last part was deeply touching and heartfelt. Settled shortly after the death of King Arthur, "The Buried Giant" manages to nicely blend together fantasy, mistery and romance.
Does the love lasts only through forgetting? Despite the act of forgiving, does one still hold resentment against the partner? Are we sure about our own definition of love?
Anyone else read it? I’d be happy to check some opinions about it as I am swinging between considering it whether dull or amusing.
Does the love lasts only through forgetting? Despite the act of forgiving, does one still hold resentment against the partner? Are we sure about our own definition of love?
Anyone else read it? I’d be happy to check some opinions about it as I am swinging between considering it whether dull or amusing.
bookburglar's review against another edition
Flat characters, ultimately didn’t hold my attention. I’m open to reading more by this author, this particular book just wasn’t for me.
hpayne's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Memory and trauma — generational cycles — and forgetting and time, presented in a slow Arthurian fantasy.
Slow-paced tension in the story approaching its resolution, ultimately seeming to side that a full reckoning of hurt and pain and darkness of life is the only way to hold the truth and strength of relationships (the couple giving the same answers to questioning). But enough to also show that understanding and acknowledgement of past hurt and trauma may not be enough — continuation of a cycle of hurt and revenge by the Saxons, and an ambiguous ending for the couple that leaves you wondering “was it enough?” to truly have the bond they needed to stay together.
An interesting book, and despite “slow pace” and other reviews, a quick read. Well written and moving. Strong characters that bring you along in discovering the mysteries of their identities and motivations.
Slow-paced tension in the story approaching its resolution, ultimately seeming to side that a full reckoning of hurt and pain and darkness of life is the only way to hold the truth and strength of relationships (the couple giving the same answers to questioning). But enough to also show that understanding and acknowledgement of past hurt and trauma may not be enough — continuation of a cycle of hurt and revenge by the Saxons, and an ambiguous ending for the couple that leaves you wondering “was it enough?” to truly have the bond they needed to stay together.
An interesting book, and despite “slow pace” and other reviews, a quick read. Well written and moving. Strong characters that bring you along in discovering the mysteries of their identities and motivations.
julianpj's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4722aris's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0