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lyslys's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25
lisamf's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review
4.0
4.5 stars
A book and author I'd never heard of. It's only after reading Sathnam Sanghera's novel 'Marriage Material' and finding it was based on Bennett's classic did I both hear of it and decide to read it. Now I can appreciate Sanghera's reworking all the ore, and see the parallels between this period in history and some aspects of contemporary British-Asian culture.
This long and detailed novel is written in four parts - in the first, Constance and Sophia grow up in their parents' small town shop, one happy to follow convention, the other struggling to stay within the small confines of her role in society, and eventually eloping with a little-known salesman. In the second part, we follow the remaining sister, Constance in her life as an adult running the shop alongside her husband, raising a family, and life in the small town as it develops. Part three returns us to Sophia, in Paris with her betrothed and what life throws at her there. And part four, the most moving of all - the sisters reuniting in later life.
For such a long read (and listen - 20 hours of audio CD), it didn't feel so lengthy. The story and setting didn't feel dated, the pair of very different sisters together kept the story going as their two different lives took very varied paths. I loved seeing the very different lives they ended up living. My favourite part though was the final one, in which their final years are spent together, I found the end of their story incredibly moving, as it really did follow them all the way to 'the end', which is unusual not only of books then but even today. This is Austen AFTER the happy marriages, more Dickens/Hardy in its less-than-uplifting look at the true meaning of old age, of change, of family.
Quite powerfully done, and such a surprise for me to realise I'd never heard of this before.
A classic that should be better known. A lot to recommend it.
A book and author I'd never heard of. It's only after reading Sathnam Sanghera's novel 'Marriage Material' and finding it was based on Bennett's classic did I both hear of it and decide to read it. Now I can appreciate Sanghera's reworking all the ore, and see the parallels between this period in history and some aspects of contemporary British-Asian culture.
This long and detailed novel is written in four parts - in the first, Constance and Sophia grow up in their parents' small town shop, one happy to follow convention, the other struggling to stay within the small confines of her role in society, and eventually eloping with a little-known salesman. In the second part, we follow the remaining sister, Constance in her life as an adult running the shop alongside her husband, raising a family, and life in the small town as it develops. Part three returns us to Sophia, in Paris with her betrothed and what life throws at her there. And part four, the most moving of all - the sisters reuniting in later life.
For such a long read (and listen - 20 hours of audio CD), it didn't feel so lengthy. The story and setting didn't feel dated, the pair of very different sisters together kept the story going as their two different lives took very varied paths. I loved seeing the very different lives they ended up living. My favourite part though was the final one, in which their final years are spent together, I found the end of their story incredibly moving, as it really did follow them all the way to 'the end', which is unusual not only of books then but even today. This is Austen AFTER the happy marriages, more Dickens/Hardy in its less-than-uplifting look at the true meaning of old age, of change, of family.
Quite powerfully done, and such a surprise for me to realise I'd never heard of this before.
A classic that should be better known. A lot to recommend it.
scandelousbooky's review
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
4.75
bupdaddy's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic reading by Andy Minter (available for free at librivox.org). I liked the book pretty well, too - Bennett is a master creator of character in the medium of dry humor. It's on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, though, and I don't understand at all why it's on there, except Peter Boxall has probably read it, and considers himself special.
ajreader's review
3.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
Two sisters each have their own years of life, love, and adventure before returning to each other, sisterhood being the truest love after all.
Two sisters each have their own years of life, love, and adventure before returning to each other, sisterhood being the truest love after all.
sloatsj's review
4.0
Very grateful to this novel, which absorbed my attention through a stressful and difficult week.
When I first started it I felt I wasn't going to enjoy it and I must admit I might have stopped early except I am stranded at the moment in a place without much choice in books. Anyway, I uncurled my lip and read on.
The story centers on the sisters Constance (yes, constant she is) and Sophia (who does gain some wisdom). At the start of the book they are adolescents of about 16 and 15 living in a home connected to their parents' successful draper's shop. Their lives take very different routes soon after, with Constance taking the traditional path of staying at home, marrying the nerdy shop manager, and becoming an indulgent mother and capable housewife. Sophia longs for something more and elopes to Paris with a traveling salesman, who gravely disappoints her.
When they are both around 50 they are reunited and live together until their deaths.
It's a tender book with various small and large dramas, and was a worthwhile and touching read.
When I first started it I felt I wasn't going to enjoy it and I must admit I might have stopped early except I am stranded at the moment in a place without much choice in books. Anyway, I uncurled my lip and read on.
The story centers on the sisters Constance (yes, constant she is) and Sophia (who does gain some wisdom). At the start of the book they are adolescents of about 16 and 15 living in a home connected to their parents' successful draper's shop. Their lives take very different routes soon after, with Constance taking the traditional path of staying at home, marrying the nerdy shop manager, and becoming an indulgent mother and capable housewife. Sophia longs for something more and elopes to Paris with a traveling salesman, who gravely disappoints her.
When they are both around 50 they are reunited and live together until their deaths.
It's a tender book with various small and large dramas, and was a worthwhile and touching read.
wolfsonarchitect's review
3.0
A little too dull and too long. When I got to book 3 about the second sister and her problematic marriage I couldn’t read that theme again.
doramac's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0