Reviews

Greengates by R.C. Sherriff

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carlat22's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely delightful. The third novel by RC Sherriff that I have read, they have all been five-star reads, but I think this is my favourite. A gentle story, the plot could be summed up in one sentence, but there is so much in it: emotions, anxieties, gentle but perceptive humour, period detail. I found the middle section quite tense, really hoping that Mr Baldwin's plans would come to fruition.

Unusually, I feel like reading it again very soon, as it was such a joy, to be able to enjoy the writing without wondering about the plot.

liz1999's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-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

4.0

sloatsj's review against another edition

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3.0

Well-written and enjoyable story about a man who retires and becomes isolated and morose and drives his wife batty. Their lives take a turn for the better when they decide to make a major change in the form of a new house and a move to the countryside.
I have to say I was enjoying it more when it was dark and depressing because that seems more true-to-life to me. I've seen this scenario played out in my own home and it ended sadly.
Glad for the characters' good fortune of course but it did seem like a fairy tale in its way.

suzanne615's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

andrew61's review against another edition

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4.0

I had not read a Persephone book before and this came to my attention from the 'tea or Books' podcast and what a joy it was both in the physical object but also a charming and entertaining story. I'm still mulling how the very mundane subject could have been crafted what became a page turner that I rattled through in a weekend and this has to be down to the excellent writing and hence again the joy of lost classics being republished.
The story starts as Tom retires from his job as an insurance clerk in London in the early 1920's . In his 50's he imagines a life occupied with plenty but his days soon drift and he lacks purpose to the frustration of his wife Edith (albeit she may be frustrated by losing her ability to have a nap in front of the fire in her favourite armchair). A chance country walk sees them decide to move house.
As I say a very domestic story and so long as you can slip into the mind set of the middle class in the 1920's with their servants and finances it is a fascinating look at a period. At times I did wonder about the wider world as this an era of in many areas sever post war poverty and general strikes but that didn't deflect from what I found to be a very interesting a readable book as a result of which I have now acquired Persephone Book number 1.

leokennis's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

alexsbooksandsocks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

4.0

Boeken als warme dekentjes. Heerlijk is dat, toch? Net zoals Twee weken weg, is er iets aan de schrijfstijl van deze auteur waardoor ik in een zweem van nostalgie gesmeten word. Ik snap het, ik voel het, ik herken en beleef het.

Ik denk dat het de tijdloosheid van zijn verhalen is, de tijdloosheid van zijn schrijven dat ervoor zorgt dat dit toen en nu een ‘feest’ der herkenning zal oproepen bij de lezers van dit boek. Met recht en rede zijn dit klassiekers.

Mijn hart geraakt gevuld met zwaarte maar loopt tegelijkertijd over van liefde en alles lijkt gewoon weer even oké. Dat, met dit boek van deze auteur. Rustig, vriendelijk, bedeesd met op tijd en stond een ferme neep, lees je hoe het meneer Baldwin en zijn vrouw Edith vergaat voor en na zijn pensioen.

Hoe beide het pensioen van Baldwin ervaren, hoe beide beseffen dat dingen zullen veranderen of al verandert zijn. Het verhaal is warmte. Eenvoud siert waardoor dit boek - voor mij - zoveel waarde kreeg.