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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Delightfully amoral, a wicked tale of seduction that channels both Les Liaisons Dangereuses and The Piano.
Several 'new money' families decide to showcase their daughters in the marriage market by purchasing a top-notch pianoforte and training up their girls to perform for nobility. Instrument-maker Cantabile is affronted by the idea of untrained and clumsy girls touching his handmade piece of art. He sends Monsiuer Belladroit to the families, ostensibly as their instructor. But really to seduce them all and foil the marriage schemes.
Unexpected turns come from his own daughter, talented musician Annie, born with a disfiguring hare lip, and one of the girls - Alathea, cunning and scheming plans of her own.
Like Dangerous Liasions, the period and theme of seduction fill the story. It's light in places, dark in others. The girls are well-enough differentiated to be identifiable. Alathea is admirable (and yet pitiable at times, as is Annie, who I wanted to see more of). Alathea drives the plot, and takes it in turns unforeseen.
There are some sex scenes but beautifully written to be completely implied, not explicit whatsoever.
The concert scene itself. So long anticipated. It is a delight. I soooooooo wanted to hear that music. To see those dresses.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, great period feel and hope it gets made into a film - some wonderful parts here for actors. And great humour, with Belladroit eventually having to service several curious teenagers consecutively, will transfer brilliantly to the screen. Indulge.
Several 'new money' families decide to showcase their daughters in the marriage market by purchasing a top-notch pianoforte and training up their girls to perform for nobility. Instrument-maker Cantabile is affronted by the idea of untrained and clumsy girls touching his handmade piece of art. He sends Monsiuer Belladroit to the families, ostensibly as their instructor. But really to seduce them all and foil the marriage schemes.
Unexpected turns come from his own daughter, talented musician Annie, born with a disfiguring hare lip, and one of the girls - Alathea, cunning and scheming plans of her own.
Like Dangerous Liasions, the period and theme of seduction fill the story. It's light in places, dark in others. The girls are well-enough differentiated to be identifiable. Alathea is admirable (and yet pitiable at times, as is Annie, who I wanted to see more of). Alathea drives the plot, and takes it in turns unforeseen.
There are some sex scenes but beautifully written to be completely implied, not explicit whatsoever.
The concert scene itself. So long anticipated. It is a delight. I soooooooo wanted to hear that music. To see those dresses.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, great period feel and hope it gets made into a film - some wonderful parts here for actors. And great humour, with Belladroit eventually having to service several curious teenagers consecutively, will transfer brilliantly to the screen. Indulge.
erboe501's review against another edition
1.0
This book vaguely tried to stir up impressions of Jane Austen--with an obvious reference in the book flap summary ("a truth universally acknowledged")--but it was not Austen. Lots of it were pretty boring, and I got mixed messages about the degree to which the reader was supposed sympathize with the five girls. At first, they were all painted cruelly, then only Marianne and Everina stood out as the truly despicable. No one in the book was without his or her faults, and they were all somewhat comically drawn, a jab at the pretensions of 'high' society that was Austen's hallmark. Unlike in Austen, the ending wasn't very happy. SEDITION just lacked that spark for me.
I do always enjoy a novel that specially emphasizes a particular hobby. The poetic language employed in describing the pianoforte and its music was fun, even if I was a little lost with the jargon.
I do always enjoy a novel that specially emphasizes a particular hobby. The poetic language employed in describing the pianoforte and its music was fun, even if I was a little lost with the jargon.
snoakes7001's review against another edition
3.0
I would never have read Sedition if it weren't on the Desmond Elliott longlist - it just didn't sound my kind of thing. And now I've read it, I'm not sure what sort of a thing it is. It's not a satire, or a farce as it's just not funny and it's definitely not sexy. I'm the last person who would say that a novel should be instantly classifiable, and I usually enjoy something a bit different, but this is just decidedly odd. There are too many similar characters - with five sets of businessmen, wives and daughters, the main characters aside I found it impossible to keep track of who was who. Then there is the plot which is nothing short of ludicrous.
In summary, I didn't dislike it as much as I expected to, but I didn't think it was anything special either. At least I am vindicated in that if I think a book isn't for me, I'm probably right.
In summary, I didn't dislike it as much as I expected to, but I didn't think it was anything special either. At least I am vindicated in that if I think a book isn't for me, I'm probably right.
shauniesbookshelves's review against another edition
2.0
In the London of 1794, four fathers and three mothers require husbands for their five daughters. In a meeting between the fathers, it is declared fashionable for young ladies to learn the Pianoforte, and therefore their daughters should learn the instrument and perform a concert in the hopes of seducing husbands with their music. Unfortunately, the piano maker has other ideas. His daughter, Annie, has a cleft lip, and so has always been a disappointment to him. In retaliation for him being so horrid to her, she sells his prized Piano to the girls for their concert, which has the intended result. Time for the piano maker to get his revenge. It turns out that even an innocent plan such as this can turn out to be not quite as expected.
This book, at least in my opinion, was just... meh. The plot at least did follow a storyline, but for the time that the book is set in, it was simply too difficult to believe. This book is certainly not for younger readers, as there are several references that are made purely for the more mature audience, but these references don't really seem to add anything to the story other than carry the plot along in the intended direction. The book was not all negative, however, not in any way. The girls were interesting characters, and their developments throughout the book were positive. Despite this, clearly, for me, this is the wrong genre (not that it seems to fit into either romance or erotica that I can tell), and I shouldn't read any more of it!
This book, at least in my opinion, was just... meh. The plot at least did follow a storyline, but for the time that the book is set in, it was simply too difficult to believe. This book is certainly not for younger readers, as there are several references that are made purely for the more mature audience, but these references don't really seem to add anything to the story other than carry the plot along in the intended direction. The book was not all negative, however, not in any way. The girls were interesting characters, and their developments throughout the book were positive. Despite this, clearly, for me, this is the wrong genre (not that it seems to fit into either romance or erotica that I can tell), and I shouldn't read any more of it!
eastersine's review
3.0
Smut but make it victorian. I can’t help but imagine how crusty musty dusty they all must’ve been *I’M SORRY*
alwaysandrea's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I could give this a higher review, because there were several things I liked about the story. The negatives were too severe, though, to prevent me from giving this more than an average review. The ending disappointed me severely. There was absolutely no narrative satisfaction or logic behind Alathea's death, other to, once again, bury your gays and continue Annie's life as a misery. While the middle of the book soared for the gentle treatment of Annie's disability and Annie and Alathea's relationship, this ending soured everything that came before it. Relatedly, while I can do the cognitive work to understand Alathea's view of her rape at her father's hands as something she does to protect herself, the narrative does not make it clear enough.
Another more minor complaint is that the book is short but stuffed with characters and it becomes very difficult to keep track of them, especially since the fathers are always referred to by the last names but the daughters by the first, so I had no idea who belonged to what family by the end.
The sections on piano were tedious at times but easy enough to glaze over; I'm sure if you're an avid piano player, you might enjoy it.
Another more minor complaint is that the book is short but stuffed with characters and it becomes very difficult to keep track of them, especially since the fathers are always referred to by the last names but the daughters by the first, so I had no idea who belonged to what family by the end.
The sections on piano were tedious at times but easy enough to glaze over; I'm sure if you're an avid piano player, you might enjoy it.
ken_bookhermit's review against another edition
4.0
‘But what about–’ Annie couldn’t bring herself to cry ‘love’.
‘What about love? Love’s perfectly possible. We can be together but still apart; we can be in love, just not dependent. That’s how to be happy. I know it.’
Sedition either started out slow or I was just really impatient. Probably a mix of both, but once I read up to the point that I was waiting for, it hooked and reeled me in like a sucker. It was beautiful, and with my bias, especially the parts with Annie and Alathea in it. I enjoyed their relationship except for one thing: their sheer lack of communication.
But still, I'm glad they found each other regardless of the ending which I can only describe as a shitstorm. It hurt to read something like that in books because I thought books were not like television, but alas. This novel's ending proved me wrong.
My true rating is between 3 and 4 stars. The middle was fantastic, but the ending, not so much.
‘What about love? Love’s perfectly possible. We can be together but still apart; we can be in love, just not dependent. That’s how to be happy. I know it.’
Sedition either started out slow or I was just really impatient. Probably a mix of both, but once I read up to the point that I was waiting for, it hooked and reeled me in like a sucker. It was beautiful, and with my bias, especially the parts with Annie and Alathea in it. I enjoyed their relationship except for one thing: their sheer lack of communication.
But still, I'm glad they found each other regardless of the ending which I can only describe as a shitstorm. It hurt to read something like that in books because I thought books were not like television, but alas. This novel's ending proved me wrong.
My true rating is between 3 and 4 stars. The middle was fantastic, but the ending, not so much.
cttindale101's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Slow, one of the least interesting and least enjoyable books I have read. Really had to work to make it to an unsatisfying end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Murder, and Gun violence
jwmcoaching's review against another edition
2.0
2 1/2 stars. I had high hopes for this one. I was thinking naughty Jane Austen with a side of Dickens. Grant is a good writer and she certainly knows how to turn a phrase. There is trashy entertainment to be found here and it's much better than something silly like Fifty Shades of Grey.
On the other hand, she seems to have a strong dislike for her characters. There is not one character here that she seems to have any sympathy for and although most of them are undeserving, that doesn't include all of them. She isn't kind to any of them and doesn't MINOR SPOILERS offer any of them fates that in any way resemble any sense of satisfaction or happiness. Her dislike of them is just too strong to justify at all.
I do have to say that aside from this, she does provide a palpable depiction of 18th century London life. You can practically smell the horse shit and the smoke, while being stunned by the dank and darkness of such a place.
On the other hand, she seems to have a strong dislike for her characters. There is not one character here that she seems to have any sympathy for and although most of them are undeserving, that doesn't include all of them. She isn't kind to any of them and doesn't MINOR SPOILERS offer any of them fates that in any way resemble any sense of satisfaction or happiness. Her dislike of them is just too strong to justify at all.
I do have to say that aside from this, she does provide a palpable depiction of 18th century London life. You can practically smell the horse shit and the smoke, while being stunned by the dank and darkness of such a place.