Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear

4 reviews

coryanderson_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Rape, Violence, Death, and Child death

Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, and Gore

Minor: Animal cruelty and Suicide attempt

Much of the book takes place in occupied Belgium during WWI and WWII and the horror, fear, and violence that entails for the civilians

jhbandcats's review

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I have loved the Maisie Dobbs series and was happy to see there’s a new book by Winspear even if it isn’t Maisie. 

I just finished reading the first three books of a poorly written trilogy by a different author - I should have quit after the first. So from the first page of The White Lady I was happy knowing I was in Winspear’s capable hands. Her writing is smooth and informative without being didactic, her characters are often endearing, and her plots are inevitably intriguing. 

The sections on the Great War and WWII were especially strong, the postwar story not as much. The ending seemed very unlikely; there were other ways it could have gone which would have been more realistic within the context. That said, I’ll read anything Winspear writes - she’s that good. 

So, I’d recommend this novel but with a caveat about the last few chapters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Sexual assault, War, Classism, Suicide attempt, Child death, Animal death, Blood, Grief, Gun violence, and Violence

vireogirl's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

More troubled than Maisie but still a strong female forged in the two world wars. Lots of struggling with grief and trauma. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, War, Gore, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Rape, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit

More troubled than Maisie but still a strong female forged in the two world wars. Lots of struggling with grief and trauma.

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I eagerly awaited the next Maisie Dobbs mystery, so I was disappointed to learn this story had a different protagonist.  However, I enjoyed this book so much.  Miss White is an intriguing character, and the various timelines (WWI, WWII, 1947) were equally interesting.  This book didn't have some of the depth I'm used to from some Maisie Dobbs stories, but it still had plenty of emotional moments.  This book could stand alone or be the start of a new series.  I will read more if this series continues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, War, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Classism, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Grief, and Gun violence