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4★
“Kitty wore her cynicism well, but Leonard had known her before the war and he could see all the stitches that were holding the costume together.”
Kitty and Leonard are just one of several generations of characters Morton introduces us to, all connected to Birchwood Manor at one time or other in their lives. Some characters were taken there as children, some have met each other there, some have stumbled across it in their travels, and we know someone has died there.
In the opening pages, the na ...more
“Kitty wore her cynicism well, but Leonard had known her before the war and he could see all the stitches that were holding the costume together.”
Kitty and Leonard are just one of several generations of characters Morton introduces us to, all connected to Birchwood Manor at one time or other in their lives. Some characters were taken there as children, some have met each other there, some have stumbled across it in their travels, and we know someone has died there.
In the opening pages, the na ...more
It was 2017 in London when archivist Elodie Winslow discovered an old but beautiful leather satchel which, on inspection, contained a photograph of a woman in Victorian clothing, and a sketchbook with detailed artwork, including a house by a river. She had no idea why the two items felt so special to her, even making her feel like she was familiar with the house, but Elodie knew she had to find out more.
In 1862, a small group of friends, including artist and owner Edward Radcliffe, descended on ...more
In 1862, a small group of friends, including artist and owner Edward Radcliffe, descended on ...more
Sep 20, 2018
Nicki Markus
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-historical
I have enjoyed some of Kate Morton's previous works, so I was excited to receive an ARC of The Clockmaker's Daughter from Allen and Unwin. The story and characters caught my interest right from the start, and I enjoyed the shifting time line as we unravelled the truth of what happened piece by piece. I actually gasped out loud when I realised where things were heading (which wasn't until quite late in the story). Morton weaves the mystery carefully through the tale in a way that keeps you guessi
...more
This was a fairly long book, and I admit that the length daunted me for several months. Which is a shame really, because it is very readable, with some beautiful but concise descriptions. There is an element of the paranormal in this story, which is not normally something that draws me to books, but if there had to be something paranormal (and there kind of did, for the story), it was fairly well done in The Clockmaker's Daughter. There were a couple of bits that were more weird than I would hav
...more
I thought this book a little eerie to start with a lone voice popping up through the story but the further I got into it the more I liked the character. Oh what a tragic story but a wonderful one! Well done Kate...I do love all your books!
Beautiful writing, interesting characters. However, this book could've been done more concisely. I was so engrossed for the first 200 pages, and then struggled between pages 200-350 before picking up interest again on and off, depending which character the chapter was on.
I understand why the characters had to be written to the depth they were, and I understand this was about intertwining lives and human connection so it was very important to make readers cared deeply about them. The problem was ...more
I understand why the characters had to be written to the depth they were, and I understand this was about intertwining lives and human connection so it was very important to make readers cared deeply about them. The problem was ...more
This is the first book by Kate Morton that I've read (I know - where have I been?). I really enjoyed it. The author had me reading chapter after chapter without wanting to put it down. It's rare that a book can do that for me these days. It was a wonderful story set over generations and I loved the way answers to mysteries were revealed a little at a time. I would have given it five stars but I felt the ending lacked something, leaving me feel just a little dissatisfied (perhaps because I'd reac
...more
One of the things that I love about Morton’s writing is how evocative the settings are. I recall being drawn to her first books as they brought the English countryside to life.
There are many storylines in this book but at the heart of it is ‘Birdie’ – the clockmaker’s daughter.
Many decades are covered within the book. Many issues are dealt with as well. As a result it did take me a while to get into it. However, I reached a point where all of the story threads came together and I realised what a ...more
There are many storylines in this book but at the heart of it is ‘Birdie’ – the clockmaker’s daughter.
Many decades are covered within the book. Many issues are dealt with as well. As a result it did take me a while to get into it. However, I reached a point where all of the story threads came together and I realised what a ...more
Beautiful, lyrical and deserves a second reading!!
Sep 25, 2018
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out
marked it as to-read
Jan 02, 2019
Ace Taylor
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
real-life,
relationship,
historical,
european-history,
crime,
englands-history,
books-i-own
Feb 08, 2019
Lien Vong
is currently reading it
