Reviews

Time Will Darken It by William Maxwell

edurie's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

megapolisomancy's review against another edition

3.0

Imagine, if you will, a narrative centered on Michael Bluth, only plunged backwards a century and with all wit and comedy replaced with tragedy and... tragedy. What remains is the story of a bourgeois pillar of the community whose total inability to disappoint anyone or to shrug off expectations leads to disaster after disaster. This is a very slow-moving slow burner of a slow character study that slowly grinds toward its depressingly understated climax, but what a tragic climax it is. Ooof.



Also, surprisingly progressive regarding race and gender for its time, although the most interesting storyline in that regard didn't really go anywhere which is, I think, what kept this book from being really and truly great.

ellabels's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

adarossiwrites's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

jason461's review against another edition

5.0

I come away from every William Maxwell book more stunned that hasn't become part of the American cannon. His writing is flawless. This is a book all about unrequited love, and, as is always the case, he deals with the subject honestly and sensitively. I can't say a single bad thing about this book it's wonderful. I'll never stopped being amazed by his ability to define and contextualize life's experiences and the people we share them with.

bellwetherdays's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

mslaura's review against another edition

3.0

I love William Maxwell's writing but I didn't connect with this story or the characters in the same way as I have with his other books. This one was missing something for me.

Ratings:

Writing 5
Story line 3
Characters 3
Emotional impact 3

Overall rating 3.5

brontebucket's review against another edition

3.0

Sleepy town in Illinois at turn of 20th Century. Austin King, Solicitor, married to Martha with one daughter. Visited by ‘foster relatives’ The Potters from Mississippi and all goes wrong. As much to like as to dislike. Lovely writing and a good premise for the story but lacked punch, slow and female characters were wet. Thought the ending was lame....

michael_levy's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

roisin94's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 ⭐

Beautifully written.