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cassidybone's review against another edition
3.0
The dialect was difficult to read and never really got easier, but the story was good and Prue Sarn was a great protagonist. I would put this in the same category as Jane Austen or the Brontes: a classic with so many interesting twists!
magratajostiernos's review against another edition
3.0
3,5/5
Una novela oscura y tortuosa pero plagada de belleza que recuerda a Thomas Hardy en su manera de describir la Inglaterra rural y sus paisajes salvajes.
Si algo me gustó de esta historia fue Prue, su protagonista, por su inteligencia y valentía, su dulzura y nobleza. Durante la primera mitad del libro la adoré a ella y muchas de esas descripciones sobre los bosques, la tierra y ese otoño/invierno que se percibe eterno en la historia.
Prue destaca por ser resilente, por resistir y poner siempre buena cara ante la adversidad... y en su vida, encontraremos muchas adversidades. Quizás esta tragedia en la que se profundiza durante la segunda parte del libro es lo que me costó un poquito más... No estoy en un momento de mi vida en que pueda soportar muchas tragedias. Por otro lado, la historia se centra mucho en el cruel hermano de Prue (personaje odioso a más no poder) y también en su historia de amor, algo que se me hizo algo repetitivo.
Sea como sea, disfruté de «Precioso veneno» por cómo estaba narrada y por tener a una protagonista fuera de lo común dentro de los clásicos. Una novela perfecta para los fans de las obras británicas del XIX, con, eso sí, sus detalles atípicos (los más interesantes los que tienen que ver con las viejas supersticiones y la brujería, en mi opinión).
Una novela oscura y tortuosa pero plagada de belleza que recuerda a Thomas Hardy en su manera de describir la Inglaterra rural y sus paisajes salvajes.
Si algo me gustó de esta historia fue Prue, su protagonista, por su inteligencia y valentía, su dulzura y nobleza. Durante la primera mitad del libro la adoré a ella y muchas de esas descripciones sobre los bosques, la tierra y ese otoño/invierno que se percibe eterno en la historia.
Prue destaca por ser resilente, por resistir y poner siempre buena cara ante la adversidad... y en su vida, encontraremos muchas adversidades. Quizás esta tragedia en la que se profundiza durante la segunda parte del libro es lo que me costó un poquito más... No estoy en un momento de mi vida en que pueda soportar muchas tragedias. Por otro lado, la historia se centra mucho en el cruel hermano de Prue (personaje odioso a más no poder) y también en su historia de amor, algo que se me hizo algo repetitivo.
Sea como sea, disfruté de «Precioso veneno» por cómo estaba narrada y por tener a una protagonista fuera de lo común dentro de los clásicos. Una novela perfecta para los fans de las obras británicas del XIX, con, eso sí, sus detalles atípicos (los más interesantes los que tienen que ver con las viejas supersticiones y la brujería, en mi opinión).
pau_coe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
teveritt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
story_stacks's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start for me as it didn't demand my attention until 80+ pages in . . . Great characterization!
aggielexi's review against another edition
1.0
I'm sure this is a fine book, but I don't think I'm in the right mood for this. I'm finding it boring, even thought I can tell some of the scenery is great. And I can't figure out why I am not liking Purdence or Gideon. I'll have to come back to it at a future time.
woolfy_vita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maplessence's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I had never heard of this author before, so I had no expectations at all going into this read.
But this was a wonderful, book with a lyrical use of language. I am assuming this is an authentic example of Shropshire speech. In any case, I absolutely loved it.
Prue Sarn, she of the 'hare-shotten' lip, is such a wonderful heroine, hardworking, compassionate & brave. Her brother Gideon is ambitious & driven & wants to make a better life for them both. Unfortunately life doesn't always go smoothly for any of us & terrible tragedies happen.
This book is now very easy to get hold of in the kindle/ebook format & I really recommend people try this one.
& in my younger years I was not a Thomas Hardy fan. Since Webb & Hardy's writing styles are supposed to be similar, maybe I should give Hardy another chance.
<blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://imgur.com/59uqgVc"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/59uqgVc.png?1" title="source: imgur.com" /></a></blockquote></i>
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
But this was a wonderful, book with a lyrical use of language. I am assuming this is an authentic example of Shropshire speech. In any case, I absolutely loved it.
Prue Sarn, she of the 'hare-shotten' lip, is such a wonderful heroine, hardworking, compassionate & brave. Her brother Gideon is ambitious & driven & wants to make a better life for them both. Unfortunately life doesn't always go smoothly for any of us & terrible tragedies happen.
This book is now very easy to get hold of in the kindle/ebook format & I really recommend people try this one.
& in my younger years I was not a Thomas Hardy fan. Since Webb & Hardy's writing styles are supposed to be similar, maybe I should give Hardy another chance.
<blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://imgur.com/59uqgVc"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/59uqgVc.png?1" title="source: imgur.com" /></a></blockquote></i>
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
bookishdaydreaming's review
3.0
A story about loyalty and the intimacy of relationships in a monotony village life, following the sweet, naive Prue Sarn and her family (both by blood and chosen) filled with charming language and poetic nature descriptions.
The countryside setting and dialect are very reminiscient of Wuthering Heights (paired with the witchcraft accusations). There's also a slightly surprising parallel (or complete opposite) with The Great Gatsby, where the main relationship of the novel is seen in a third person perspective through the narrator (as opposed to those in the relationship), and the obsession with money and power (albeit in a much more rural setting).
A fiercely feminist tale for its time, this is a great foray into classical literature for those who haven't read much of it, or something fresh and different for those who have.
The countryside setting and dialect are very reminiscient of Wuthering Heights (paired with the witchcraft accusations). There's also a slightly surprising parallel (or complete opposite) with The Great Gatsby, where the main relationship of the novel is seen in a third person perspective through the narrator (as opposed to those in the relationship), and the obsession with money and power (albeit in a much more rural setting).
A fiercely feminist tale for its time, this is a great foray into classical literature for those who haven't read much of it, or something fresh and different for those who have.