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mikegld561's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
1mpossiblealice's review
4.0
I read these stories over a couple of weeks, and at first I found it hard to get into because I was reading it alongside thrillers and they're very fast paced - this is the opposite. So I really had to make myself slow down a bit and concentrate instead of trying to race through. Which was good - I loved these stories. They read more like memoir snippets, but either way they are beautifully written and about small things, and the wonder of the natural world. I really felt like I could hear the waves and see the small islands and smell the sea spray as I was reading this. It was so evocative and I love that the stories are just slightly weird, in the way of childhood imagination - but it continues into the stories told from an adult perspective.
Just one point about the title - I expected all of these to be winter stories, but they're really not, only a few are. Several of them are set during summer.
Just one point about the title - I expected all of these to be winter stories, but they're really not, only a few are. Several of them are set during summer.
mrs_bonaventure's review
4.0
This book has the sea in it...
For that alone it's worth reading.
Especially the story about the little girl and the iceberg.
For that alone it's worth reading.
Especially the story about the little girl and the iceberg.
ronjalex's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tobia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I was not aware it’s a compilation of stories from multiple books and essays. I did not like it. I believe reading the entire books would have given me more joy.
mckenziesbookshelf's review
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
deannalovesbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
the_reading_wren's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A showcase of short stories by Tove Janssen, including those from her collection ‘The Sculptor’s Daughter’ and some about her older age. The addition of some of her correspondence I felt was out of place here, but it was only a small section of the book anyway.
A lot of the introduction by Ali Smith didn’t make much sense to me until after I’d read the book, but that was probably just me.
The stories tthemselves are gems of insight, reflection and wisdom.
A lot of the introduction by Ali Smith didn’t make much sense to me until after I’d read the book, but that was probably just me.
The stories tthemselves are gems of insight, reflection and wisdom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit