The Clockmaker's Daughter in Aussie Readers

Nov 26, 2018 Kathryn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, fiction, australian-authors, reading-list-2018, aty-2018

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

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Jan 26, 2019 Kim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: act-library, 2019-read, aww2019

I found this an enjoyable read. Currently setting my rating at 4 stars but that may change.
It's a fun story loosely based on people surrounding a pre-Raphelite brotherhood, a ghostly narrator, multiple protagonists over different generations and a number of mysteries, how did they die? where did the objects go? etc
There's quite a bit going on and most of it comes together by the end.
I'm glad I decided to read it even though it will be late back to the library. It is the first of Kate Morton's ...more

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Sep 08, 2018 Bree T rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, mystery, supernatural, australian, favorites, romance, hist-contemp-blend

What a book this was.

I’ve only read one Kate Morton book before although she’s one of Australia (and probably the world’s) most loved authors. Her books have sold millions of copies. I have two more of her books on my TBR shelf and the second I saw this one’s beautiful cover I knew I would have to read it. I dedicated a whole weekend to it – it’s a thick read, coming in at close to 600p. And every single one of those pages is beautifully written and serves the ambitious and sprawling story.

In th What a book this was.

I’ve only read one Kate Morton book before although she’s one of Australia (and probably the world’s) most loved authors. Her books have sold millions of copies. I have two more of her books on my TBR shelf and the second I saw this one’s beautiful cover I knew I would have to read it. I dedicated a whole weekend to it – it’s a thick read, coming in at close to 600p. And every single one of those pages is beautifully written and serves the ambitious and sprawling story.

In the present day, Elodie Winslow is an archivist in London who discovers a leather satchel containing a framed photograph and a sketchbook. She is inexplicably drawn to both – the beautiful woman in the photo radiates beauty and life. The sketchbook contains pictures of a house Elodie finds very familiar to her although she’s sure she’s never been there. Elodie is a lovely character, struggling under the tasks of organising a wedding that seems to have little to do with her. It’s so easy for her to fall into looking into the photograph, the satchel and sketchbook, under the guise of it being her job but it becomes so much more than that for her.

This book contains a many different time periods and a large cast of characters but they all blend seamlessly together into one cohesive story. There are characters introduced that seem relatively unimportant but then later on things click together and what began several hundred pages ago with a chance meeting is suddenly the reason for something else or strengthens a connection between two previously unrelated characters. This is such a well constructed story, the sort where those 600p feel like nothing. I’m normally quite a fast reader but I found myself deliberately slowing down with this book, savouring every word and sentence. This is almost not just one story but many mini stories within a story, through generations, all of which are connected to the house, Birchwood Manor.

Birchwood Manor has such presence in the story, for all of those who come into contact with it. For Edward in 1862, it’s a place of refuge and inspiration, where he can complete his masterpiece with his muse and his other artistic friends can take advantage of the fantastic light and picturesque surroundings. For others it’s an idea of progressive change, a romantic honeymoon sighting, a port in a storm, a friend during a time in need. I love the mystical elements that were wound into the story in connection to the house and the sort of ‘guardian’ that watched over the house and its occupants throughout the years. I ended up feeling such a connection to the keeper of the house and was so invested in what had happened to them, which takes quite a long time to be revealed but this isn’t a negative thing because Morton paces it so well and builds the atmosphere and tension so admirably. Each time we slipped into a different decade or time period, I would be immediately swept up with new characters and a new situation just as fervently as I was with the previous ones. Each different incarnation of the house is so fascinating that I never felt that reluctance or regret I sometimes feel in time slip novels when the narrative switches.

These are the most difficult reviews to write, when you love a book so much. It’s hard to find the right words. But everything about this book is a masterpiece. I am so impressed by just how much there was woven into it, how many threads and characters that all came together in so many different ways to create this story as a whole. There are sad elements, for children abandoned or lost and exploited, there are romantic elements for unlikely artistic connections, there are some spooky elements as well as mystery, mayhem and murder! There’s honestly something for everyone in this book and the atmosphere evoked is like nothing I think I’ve ever read before. This was an immersive reading experience with such beautiful writing that it’s something I wish I could immediately start over and read again. It’s the sort of book where you message people midway through to gush about how incredible it is. I cannot recommend this one enough – I want to see what everyone I know thinks of it!

***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*** ...more

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Dec 08, 2018 Rina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

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