melc's reviews
1191 reviews

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

Go to review page

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

3.0

This is a book which pays homage to Venice and the craft of glass-making on the island of Murano. Chevalier writes beautifully and her research is impeccable. I really enjoyed the way this book gives a great swathe-like overview of time and history. However, I felt somewhat removed from the characters as we didn't spend enough time with their emotions. The plot didn't do much to draw me in either. But this is accomplished historical fiction all the same.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The Travelling Bag: And Other Ghostly Stories by Susan Hill

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
The writing style did not work for me with no speech marks and long academic musings. This is not the time to wade through a book that requires hard work to read.
Love Marriage by V.V. Ganeshananthan

Go to review page

dark informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This felt like a practise run for Brotherless Night which was a much greater accomplishment and a more readable novel. I don't like books that focus on the lives of a whole family but spends so little time with each character that you don't connect. This was how this novel felt to me and whilst I found the story of Sri Lanka moving the whole thing felt at arms length due to pacing and structure.
Mrs D is Going Without: I used to be a boozy housewife. Now I'm not. This is my book. by Lotta Dann

Go to review page

informative inspiring slow-paced

2.0

If Only by Vigdis Hjorth

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Could not relate to these dislikeable characters and hated the stuttered, alternately diving deep then skimming the shallow waters prose. Seemed to be rushed but could sense there wasn't going to be much development as the novel works its course. Not for me - DNF'd at 6%.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad 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

3.5

This was well written with strong characterisation, but felt like an extended short story to me.
Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers

Go to review page

informative mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

Much like Small Pleasures, Chambers' previous novel, this is a quiet, historical with deep themes surrounding relationships, identity and independence. This novel takes a real life story of a neglected man discovered by police and admitted to a psychiatric hospital and creates a fictional background to the event. Chambers explored mental health in the 1960s with accuracy and sensitivity and this book had propulsion as we flip between the past and find out more of how William, one of the protagonists ended up in the poor state in which he was found. I enjoyed this novel and think Chambers writes intelligent novels that are easy reads.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The Circling Sky: On Nature and Belonging in an English Forest by Neil Ansell

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Might be because it was on audio and I know I'm in the minority, but I was just bored