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mitchk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chigwellreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Hilary Byrd flees his melancholy life in the UK to try living abroad for a bit. He winds up renting a small house on the property of a former mission in a hill town in South India. There he forms a new small life with daily routines. He goes out for daily rides with a local rickshaw driver stopping at the library, the Botanical Gardens, the local market and chocolate shop. Byrd forms a friendship with the two people who live in the main house on the property, the Padre and a young orphan woman he took in named Priscilla.
This is a heartwarming story about trying to form a connection while also trying to escape. Byrd finds comfort in the British-isms left behind in post colonial India. He is a man who is deeply uncomfortable in his own skin and is seeking some meaning in his life. He finds a spark of hope with the Padre and Priscilla.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This is a heartwarming story about trying to form a connection while also trying to escape. Byrd finds comfort in the British-isms left behind in post colonial India. He is a man who is deeply uncomfortable in his own skin and is seeking some meaning in his life. He finds a spark of hope with the Padre and Priscilla.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
thepagelady's review against another edition
3.0
Fleeing his demons and the dark undercurrents of contemporary life in the UK, Hilary Byrd takes refuge in a former British hill station in South India. Charmed by the foreignness of his new surroundings and by the familiarity of everything the British have left behind, he finds solace in life’s simple pleasures, travelling by rickshaw around the small town with his driver Jamshed and staying in a mission house beside the local presbytery where the Padre and his adoptive daughter Priscilla have taken Hilary under their wing.
The Padre is concerned for Priscilla’s future, and as Hilary’s friendship with the young woman grows, he begins to wonder whether his purpose lies in this new relationship. But religious tensions are brewing and the mission house may not be the safe haven it seems.
Thank you, Goodreads and Scribner Books for the chance to read The Mission House!
“{The best sentences are the ones I begin without knowing how they will end.}”
This was a very stunning and gentle story. I have to say I don’t think I have ever read anything like it. It’s very unique to the author. At times it felt almost like I was reading poetry. It feels like there isn’t much happening, only hints of action to come. That may be why the book felt like it was slow going. The world building in this book makes you feel like you are actually there. That you can hear, see, and smell all the same things as Hillary. I’m not 100% sure what I think of this book. There were things I liked and things I didn’t. I know that doesn’t help much. But the only thing I can say that may help is you have to try it and you will either like it or you won’t. Happy reading everyone!
The Padre is concerned for Priscilla’s future, and as Hilary’s friendship with the young woman grows, he begins to wonder whether his purpose lies in this new relationship. But religious tensions are brewing and the mission house may not be the safe haven it seems.
Thank you, Goodreads and Scribner Books for the chance to read The Mission House!
“{The best sentences are the ones I begin without knowing how they will end.}”
This was a very stunning and gentle story. I have to say I don’t think I have ever read anything like it. It’s very unique to the author. At times it felt almost like I was reading poetry. It feels like there isn’t much happening, only hints of action to come. That may be why the book felt like it was slow going. The world building in this book makes you feel like you are actually there. That you can hear, see, and smell all the same things as Hillary. I’m not 100% sure what I think of this book. There were things I liked and things I didn’t. I know that doesn’t help much. But the only thing I can say that may help is you have to try it and you will either like it or you won’t. Happy reading everyone!
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
4.0
"The Mission House" is a lovely book about a small Indian town and the characters whithin. Hillary Byrd is a middle aged Englishman traveling to find peace in his depression. On a train trip, he meets the priest at a small mission who offers him a cozy bungalow. Hilary settles in, and makes a connection with Jamshed, the driver of a pedi cab who takes him wherever he wants to go.
At this point, you're thinking that this novel will be about Hilary's re-engagement with life through the kindness of others. Don't be deceived. This novel will offer a number of surprises, touching characters, heart, and brutality.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this fine novel.
At this point, you're thinking that this novel will be about Hilary's re-engagement with life through the kindness of others. Don't be deceived. This novel will offer a number of surprises, touching characters, heart, and brutality.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this fine novel.
will_meringue's review against another edition
4.0
Similarly to West, I thought Davies' beautiful, tender writing style carried this novel through any gripes I had with it. I saw another review say that Davies had a masterpiece in her but this isn't it, and I agree. I appreciated how she played with time and perspective to build tension, and thought the character design was mostly effective. I'll be excited to read her next book.
geirertzgaard's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
sarahf14's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5