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dear6hla's review
Author isn’t Irish and it shows, Irish characters dialogue very stilted and jarring - usually no problem being from somewhere else and writing about a culture but it is a problem when the characters sound just a bit off like a chat bot
knittyreader's review
3.0
I started this book hoping to get some more insight in the people who walk the trail to Santiago de Compostella. Someone who was very important to my husband walked the trail, and was certain he would walk it again, it was so marvellous. Unfortunately, he died half a year later. So I started reading this book bent on liking it.
While this book had some interesting characters, it felt a bit ... scrambled to me. While it was easy to read it and keep reading, I had more difficulty really keeping my mind with the story.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
While this book had some interesting characters, it felt a bit ... scrambled to me. While it was easy to read it and keep reading, I had more difficulty really keeping my mind with the story.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
rebecca124's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
guarinous's review
5.0
Petra's Ghost is, as you'd expect from the title, a ghost story. However, the the true beating heart of this entertaining tale of pilgrimage is the theme of redemption and its many, often incomplete forms.
Admittedly, I went into this book not having ever heard of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient Spanish pilgrimage route. C.S. O'Cinneide draws here on her own experiences while walking the route in 2015, and I need to point out what a fantastic job she does bringing the route to life, using real life locations and details that add realism to the story. The main character, an Irish ex-pat named Daniel, is a well drawn out figure of grief and guilt over the recent cancer death of his wife Petra. Daniel has come to the Camino to spread Petra's ashes and to perhaps find something in the pilgrimage for himself.
Daniel soon meets Ginny, a girl from California who immediately proclaims him as "different", and an older Dutchman who takes on the role of wise sage. They're soon besieged by a mysterious entity that seems to follow them along the path. The book from this point assumes the dual roles of horror and travelogue: Daniel and Ginny visit many historical locations, festivals, and inns along the path, interspersed with encounters and far off sightings of the entity. Throughout the book, I found myself comparing certain sections to M.R. James' classic "'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'". I can give no higher praise as I consider that one of my favorite ghost stories.
I'd imagine Petra's Ghost will rank fairly highly on my year end book list. Grief and guilt can be as terrifying as actual apparitions, but as one character succinctly puts it: Not all ghosts are out to harm you, but they all carry messages.
***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Dundurn.**
Admittedly, I went into this book not having ever heard of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient Spanish pilgrimage route. C.S. O'Cinneide draws here on her own experiences while walking the route in 2015, and I need to point out what a fantastic job she does bringing the route to life, using real life locations and details that add realism to the story. The main character, an Irish ex-pat named Daniel, is a well drawn out figure of grief and guilt over the recent cancer death of his wife Petra. Daniel has come to the Camino to spread Petra's ashes and to perhaps find something in the pilgrimage for himself.
Daniel soon meets Ginny, a girl from California who immediately proclaims him as "different", and an older Dutchman who takes on the role of wise sage. They're soon besieged by a mysterious entity that seems to follow them along the path. The book from this point assumes the dual roles of horror and travelogue: Daniel and Ginny visit many historical locations, festivals, and inns along the path, interspersed with encounters and far off sightings of the entity. Throughout the book, I found myself comparing certain sections to M.R. James' classic "'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'". I can give no higher praise as I consider that one of my favorite ghost stories.
I'd imagine Petra's Ghost will rank fairly highly on my year end book list. Grief and guilt can be as terrifying as actual apparitions, but as one character succinctly puts it: Not all ghosts are out to harm you, but they all carry messages.
***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Dundurn.**
nessi98's review against another edition
The bad Spanish turned me off really fast
bdwerner's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book felt like a 500 mile walk, but there were a few interesting twists along the Way.
wisecraic's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jonnyh9's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A surprisingly touching introspective on grief and personal responsibility. Lots of things that you expect to be twists are very obviously and plainly laid out, and it instead important to see how the characters react to the situation and environment.
In addition, the accuracy of Irish dialogue between the main character and his sister was an enjoyable abreath of fresh air during some very tense sections.
In addition, the accuracy of Irish dialogue between the main character and his sister was an enjoyable abreath of fresh air during some very tense sections.
lizziea229's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0