Reviews

Green Tea and Other Strange Tales by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

enyajm's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-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? Yes

3.5

imoganthebogan's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

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

2.5

After reading the blurb of this short story I thought I would really like this, an old Victorian ghost story about a clergyman haunted by a demonic spirit, sign me up! However I was left really disappointed and would have DNF’d if it was longer than 50 pages. 

Firstly, the plot could have been so interesting but the author decided to approach the narrative in, my opinion, the driest way possible. If it had been a first person narrative of the clergyman themselves I would have enjoyed it a lot more. 

Secondly, I really disliked the writing. It was long winded without every really saying anything. I felt the writing didn’t create any tension, atmosphere, interesting characters  or imagery culminating in the book feeling lifeless. 

What really solidified my dislike of the book was the conclusion. The pseudoscientific nature of it was confusing and annoying, again using big words to say nothing. It felt like a waste. 

Overall this short story was boring and I’m really worried to read their other work Carmilla which I was so excited for as the writing just did not hit for me. 

jeffprov's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

kaja_01's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

le_lizzy's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

3.5

iqra_saif's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A

3.25

emberreece's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-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? No

3.0

Just read Carmilla at this time, but Le Fanu has a ton of stories. Even skimming over the book is fascinating!

darkcoffeelover81's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

2.5

gimpyknee's review against another edition

3.0

Moral of this story - don’t drink green tea.

cynt_'s review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0