Reviews

Devoted Ladies by M.J. Farrell

marandi's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

3.75

slippy_underfoot's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Dark and wonderful

mrswythe89's review against another edition

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3.0

What a horrible book. Evil lesbian, "nasty" appearing to be used to mean "homosexual" (as in, "Albert was a nasty boy"), casual racism. And even without all that it was a relentlessly unpleasant book.

Three stars because it was so effectively, deliberately horrible. I was absorbed even as my brain made "bleh spit spit" faces.

angela_king's review against another edition

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emotional medium-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

mavenbooks's review against another edition

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dark funny
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jessicah95's review against another edition

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3.0

An enjoyable read; astutely witty, without any doubt. However, as a modern reader, I cannot simply look past the littering of racial slurs and homophobic insinuations bubbling under the service, despite being able to acknowledge this as a ‘novel of its time’. I have the same problem with Nancy Mitford. That being said, all the characters are intentionally (at least, I hope so) detestable in a rather delicious way. I will read more Keane, for certain, but I will be sure to prepare myself to be deflated by the uncomfortably dated attitudes which jarringly jab through her otherwise glittering prose. The ending was quite satisfying. Could have done without the fox hunting, though.

kiri_johnston's review against another edition

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2.0

Didn’t like this one at all! Blame my modern sensibilities but I hated the fact one character’s (Piggy) weight was constantly remarked on, and she’s seen as unattractive and clingy by other characters. Everyone in this book was unlikeable aside from her, which shouldn’t be a bad thing - Vanity Fair is full of horrible people but manages to be entertaining. However, there wasn’t enough humour or plot to get me past my inability to enjoy interactions between said characters.

venusenvy's review against another edition

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5.0

These were the absolute nastiest characters I’ve ever read and I enjoyed every minute.  Shocked, appalled, and thrilled until the very last sentence.  Deliciously cruel!  Cruelly delicious!

michichigo's review

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

2.5

a_lad_reading_books's review against another edition

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sad tense 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

3.5