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timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Not for everyone, but this is just brilliant.
A good plot, an intriguing character, several good side characters, and sparkling writing.
You'll probably enjoy it more if you have read other books from earlier centuries, either directly or written as tributes. I read a lot of SF and fantasy, so I enjoyed Steven Brust's tributes to Dumas in his Phoenix Guards series.
This seems similarly stilted at first, but I soon settled in–and I wonder if Spufford relaxed a bit–and was absorbed. After a slow start, things start to happen quickly. At the end, most of the details are resolved; perhaps not in the way the reader had hoped, but in a way that feels inevitable once read.
Mostly it's the writing. I read several pages twice and even three times, and pestered my spouse with several, "you have to listen to this" moments.
A good plot, an intriguing character, several good side characters, and sparkling writing.
You'll probably enjoy it more if you have read other books from earlier centuries, either directly or written as tributes. I read a lot of SF and fantasy, so I enjoyed Steven Brust's tributes to Dumas in his Phoenix Guards series.
This seems similarly stilted at first, but I soon settled in–and I wonder if Spufford relaxed a bit–and was absorbed. After a slow start, things start to happen quickly. At the end, most of the details are resolved; perhaps not in the way the reader had hoped, but in a way that feels inevitable once read.
Mostly it's the writing. I read several pages twice and even three times, and pestered my spouse with several, "you have to listen to this" moments.
dunnadam's review against another edition
3.0
Some moments of brilliance, like the debtor's prison, the card game, the court room. Some less brilliant and too wordy, like the play.
Overall well written, just don't know if it was really my type of thing.
Overall well written, just don't know if it was really my type of thing.
zoroco's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
grahamreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joe_spracklen17's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
An interesting book with some good character moments. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the protagonist and Tabitha. There are some interesting twists and turns throughout and it tackles well a lot of themes such as race and sexuality.
There are however a few difficulties. The book has quite a slow pace and is written in quite a classical manner that is hard to read at some points. While not totally ruining the actual reading experience it did make it a slight challenge.
Overall it's a fine piece of historical fiction and is interesting to see New York depicted in such a time period. If you're into that type of story and don't mind a difficult writing style then it might be enjoyable.
There are however a few difficulties. The book has quite a slow pace and is written in quite a classical manner that is hard to read at some points. While not totally ruining the actual reading experience it did make it a slight challenge.
Overall it's a fine piece of historical fiction and is interesting to see New York depicted in such a time period. If you're into that type of story and don't mind a difficult writing style then it might be enjoyable.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
As a period piece I found this book nearly perfect. As an entertaining plot-twisting read a little less so. It tended to bog down in language and get stagnant at points. Then the denouement was fascinating yet entirely unbelievable. But pieced together it made for a better than average book.
deanashuman's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I thought Spufford did very well with the stylized language, and the action and plot were riveting. Full of surprises.
xtie's review against another edition
3.0
A very unlikely read from me but lent by a dear friend who is in many ways, my polar opposite. I just enjoy books with predominantly yt, male characters WAY less (oh and this failed the Bechdel test with flying colours). Cool story though, but I guess most of the canon could be excused by the same reasoning…..
nickbollinger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75