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kers_tin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
This was so good! Historical fiction my beloved. Eliza deserved so much better 💔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death of parent, Infidelity, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Racism, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
meliemelo's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
For a while, I thought this would earn five-stars. Unfortunately, it wasn't the sweeping romance I hoped for, even though from the first few pages it seemed written like one - although the author can hardly be faulted since, and I hadn't realized it until the last few pages (shame on me!), the whole novel is based on a true story. I'd love to get an exquisitely written, positive historical queer romance, someday.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Death, Child death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War
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