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annabookbel's review
4.0
The subtitle of this novel – “A Story of Love &Transience, Opera & Venice.” says it all, and this book was all of those, and more. Paul, a researcher into a little-known opera star of the fin-de-siecle arrives in Venice to meet the widow of a collector who could have documents to help him in his endeavours. Eva brings him the first batch of papers, but they relate to an opera singer in the 1680s - what's going on? We then start to alternate between the past and the present, in a story of immortality and reinvention, the immortality aspect is made perfectly clear as we follow Elena through the ages. Back in the present, Paul and Eva are tiptoeing around each other, gradually falling in love, although Paul knows Eva is holding something back.
The dual time-line works pretty well, and on this occasion the modern one just edged the historical for me, due to its slight claustrophobia. Heron’s style has an intensity, amplified by the lack of he said/she saids in the dialogue which is simply signposted with a dash, this keeps you on your toes. This tale of reinvention and love will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a twist, or reading about Venice, the city which, arguably, is the real star of this novel be it in 2000, 1680, or anywhere in between.
The dual time-line works pretty well, and on this occasion the modern one just edged the historical for me, due to its slight claustrophobia. Heron’s style has an intensity, amplified by the lack of he said/she saids in the dialogue which is simply signposted with a dash, this keeps you on your toes. This tale of reinvention and love will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a twist, or reading about Venice, the city which, arguably, is the real star of this novel be it in 2000, 1680, or anywhere in between.
bexcapades's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. The story within a story structure created an eagerness within me to find out the truth and the ending.
I thought that this book was unputdownable and I read it in one sitting. It was really well-written and I felt emotionally invested in the characters. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
The cover is also beautiful and a great design for the book!
The ending had a good length build up and I was happy with the resolve. It was beautiful!
I thought that this book was unputdownable and I read it in one sitting. It was really well-written and I felt emotionally invested in the characters. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
The cover is also beautiful and a great design for the book!
The ending had a good length build up and I was happy with the resolve. It was beautiful!
ninetalevixen's review
2.0
(I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
2.5 stars.
The premise is interesting, if not very new; I was definitely interested to see how it all played out, because frequent readers will probably be able to put the pieces together much, much more quickly than Paul does. Unfortunately, that took quite a while, then it was just a matter of getting through to the end.
I never really got invested in the story. The characters seemed pretty flat, defined by their circumstances and reacting to the plot rather than having complex individualized traits. I'm not a fan of randomly translating words into the "local" language, and it doesn't really work because Latin-based languages look pretty similar (I hadn't reviewed the synopsis before reading, and I thought it was Spanish. But no, it's set in Venice, so Italian). And I've never liked the ominous foreshadowing statements — "I wouldn't know it until later, but..." — especially when the "twists" to come are fairly predictable. You'll probably also see the relationships coming from a mile away, not because they're thoroughly developed but because they're convenient and, to be frank, pretty heteronormative — especially the primary romance.
This book might be one for readers who are more interested in plot than characterization, and if you like the dual past/present narrative format. But it wasn't really for me.
2.5 stars.
The premise is interesting, if not very new; I was definitely interested to see how it all played out, because frequent readers will probably be able to put the pieces together much, much more quickly than Paul does. Unfortunately, that took quite a while, then it was just a matter of getting through to the end.
I never really got invested in the story. The characters seemed pretty flat, defined by their circumstances and reacting to the plot rather than having complex individualized traits. I'm not a fan of randomly translating words into the "local" language, and it doesn't really work because Latin-based languages look pretty similar (I hadn't reviewed the synopsis before reading, and I thought it was Spanish. But no, it's set in Venice, so Italian). And I've never liked the ominous foreshadowing statements — "I wouldn't know it until later, but..." — especially when the "twists" to come are fairly predictable. You'll probably also see the relationships coming from a mile away, not because they're thoroughly developed but because they're convenient and, to be frank, pretty heteronormative — especially the primary romance.
This book might be one for readers who are more interested in plot than characterization, and if you like the dual past/present narrative format. But it wasn't really for me.
ladyonequestion's review
4.0
In the present day, Paul visits Venice where he meets a mysterious woman he becomes fascinated by. Eva owns a trunk full of historical objects and diaries owned by the subject of Paul's research, the opera singer Esme, and gradually he pieces together the lives of various women. But is it just one woman or many, and how is Eva linked? A mixture of mystery, historical fiction and magic realism, this is an evocative novel with some very good descriptions of Venice. The central female character is fascinating as she moves through different periods, meeting famous figures along the way as a famous opera singer. The weaving together of the stories is well done and the magic realism is subtle - it is not explained how Esme lives on over 300 years, but it's not needed - it's inspired by an opera, and after all, Woolf didn't feel the need to explain what caused Orlando to live on. Overall, a thoughtfully written novel that would particularly please opera fans.
philosophie's review
2.0
It's true that the world keeps changing. The past can only exist for us in smithereens; even in our own span of life we forget so much. Yet some things stay the same: how love feels, being a parent, being young or growing old - the cycle of life, in other words.
annarella's review
5.0
I loved this book: it's engaging and enthralling.
I loved the style of writing, so beautiful. The characters were well developed and I loved how they were written.
I loved the plot and how it describes Venice, so dreamy and poetic.
It was an amazing reading experience and I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Unbound and Netgalley for this ARC
I loved the style of writing, so beautiful. The characters were well developed and I loved how they were written.
I loved the plot and how it describes Venice, so dreamy and poetic.
It was an amazing reading experience and I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Unbound and Netgalley for this ARC
daniellelouis_'s review
3.0
'The Hourglass' is a beautifully written book that weaves together a dual storyline of historical and contemporary fiction, set in the scenic city of Venice. One of the main narratives is that of a very artistic nature, following a famous opera singer Esme Maguire who had lead a truly extraordinary life for almost 300 years while travelling the world singing.
Esme's character made my heart swell and break as we were swept through her life story; we experienced her lost loves, heartbreak and grief through her own words. We learnt the circumstances in which she has become immortal and the consequences of becoming so. While reading the book, I could feel the passion and heart that the author had poured into this book. Liz's ability to create an atmostpheric read is wonderful, almost poetic.
I couldn't help feel saddened Esme; who I felt was lonely as she lived this life on a type of loop of changing names, lying and loves. The alternative dual storyline that was set in contemporary times was that of Eva and Paul. Eva has recently become widowed, she contacts researcher Paul with promises of papers that would shine a light upon the life of Esme Maguire. What beings as a business relationship in the city of enlightenment and revolution, becomes a whirlwind romance. I felt that the dual narrative really worked, although I wish there had been slightly more focus on Eva and Paul, but I think that's just personal taste. Although, I did like pondering the question, is a mortal life really worth it?
Overall, I enjoyed the read and would recommend to those who enjoy reading books that centre around the arts with a historical tone. Also, I'd like to say how stunning the cover is, one of my favourites!
Esme's character made my heart swell and break as we were swept through her life story; we experienced her lost loves, heartbreak and grief through her own words. We learnt the circumstances in which she has become immortal and the consequences of becoming so. While reading the book, I could feel the passion and heart that the author had poured into this book. Liz's ability to create an atmostpheric read is wonderful, almost poetic.
I couldn't help feel saddened Esme; who I felt was lonely as she lived this life on a type of loop of changing names, lying and loves. The alternative dual storyline that was set in contemporary times was that of Eva and Paul. Eva has recently become widowed, she contacts researcher Paul with promises of papers that would shine a light upon the life of Esme Maguire. What beings as a business relationship in the city of enlightenment and revolution, becomes a whirlwind romance. I felt that the dual narrative really worked, although I wish there had been slightly more focus on Eva and Paul, but I think that's just personal taste. Although, I did like pondering the question, is a mortal life really worth it?
Overall, I enjoyed the read and would recommend to those who enjoy reading books that centre around the arts with a historical tone. Also, I'd like to say how stunning the cover is, one of my favourites!
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