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Update 12/29/2018
I am trying to give my old DNFs another go, but I just can’t with Chime. It’s just not my type of fantasy weirdness. It seems if I reject writing on the basis of aesthetic incompatibility, it’s forever. My opinion about the plot and characters can change (see The Disreputable History if Frankie Landau-Banks), but my aversion to a certain writing style - can’t 🤔
This book received a starred review from basically every professional reviewing publication - School Library Journal, Bo ...more
I am trying to give my old DNFs another go, but I just can’t with Chime. It’s just not my type of fantasy weirdness. It seems if I reject writing on the basis of aesthetic incompatibility, it’s forever. My opinion about the plot and characters can change (see The Disreputable History if Frankie Landau-Banks), but my aversion to a certain writing style - can’t 🤔
This book received a starred review from basically every professional reviewing publication - School Library Journal, Bo ...more
This is really a 2.5 star book. I grabbed it from the library to preview for my own because I'd heard a lot of buzz about this one. It was, in fact, named to the National Book Award shortlist the day I finished it. But that doesn't actually mean it's any good. The whole thing felt "off" to me.
**SPOILERS from here on out**
The mixture of "normal" speech in the narrator's head, formal speech within her family and several friends, and the public dialect was really and truly jarring. The author didn ...more
**SPOILERS from here on out**
The mixture of "normal" speech in the narrator's head, formal speech within her family and several friends, and the public dialect was really and truly jarring. The author didn ...more
I read this because it's come so highly recommended. I did ultimately enjoy it, but it isn't one of my "must-read" titles. I found it a bit slow to get started, and while I did eventually get engaged, I just didn't feel like it was a page-turner. The time period is murky, but from references to "Moving Pictures" "Motorcars" and Freud would probably place this at the beginning of the 20th century. (The narrator does indicate that it's the 20th century)
The book is well-written, but lacks characte ...more
The book is well-written, but lacks characte ...more
I listened to this book as an audiobook. Big mistake. Billingsly doesn't differentiate between what her main character is saying using words & her silent mental retorts. Presumably she just uses quote marks in the print version, but in the audio version it's just confusing. Overall I liked the book, but I don't think it's Printz worthy. To be honest I was also underwhelmed by Billingsly's "Folk Keeper" for what that's worth. I thought the ending was predictable, but not in a bad way. Since I per
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I couldn't get into the book, which a friend highly recommended. So I listened to the audio, which I highly enjoyed. Briony was not a likable charachter in text, but the reader brought her to life beautifully. Witches, old ones, victorian romance, and psychological thriller. Doesn't get much better than that.
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Holden Caulfield meets dark English folklore in the early 1900s.
Wow.
The writing style was beautiful, if a bit difficult to handle at first. Briony has a major guilt-complex/ self - hate issue which can be tiring, but it is necessary for the plot.
Wow.
The writing style was beautiful, if a bit difficult to handle at first. Briony has a major guilt-complex/ self - hate issue which can be tiring, but it is necessary for the plot.
With all the buzz, I was disappointed. The relationship of the sisters was strong; however, I didn't get a clear picture of the setting. The bogs were such an integral part of the story, but I didn't feel them like I felt the cold of WHITE DARKNESS.
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Plot did n't seem to go anywhere for much of the middle of the book, I got bored.
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This book got rave reviews - but it was not my cup of tea. I think it's because historical fiction and fantasy combined (the same reason I don't like steampunk too)
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While I wasn't crazy about it in the beginning, I really enjoyed it towards the middle and end. Not a book with a huge audience, because of the unusual voice of the narrator, but certain readers will eat it up. Try it for teens who loved A Curse Dark As Gold.
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One of my favourite books of the year so far. A really unique narrative voice with lots of wordplay and cleverness. Not quite sure who to recommend it to, though. Perhaps those who like whimsical, precocious books.
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Dreamy yet passionate. The meaning of the title didn't sink in until twenty minutes after I finished the book.
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Stylistically it was a bit of a slog, but I liked Briony and Eldric and it all came together at the end.
Five stars for style: the lyricism, imagery, and perfect metaphors. This woman can write.
Jan 31, 2011
Kellie
marked it as to-read
Apr 11, 2011
Cathy Blackler
marked it as to-read
Jun 10, 2011
Marianne
marked it as to-read
