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amycrea's review against another edition
2.0
Really disappointing. Mantel is such a good writer, and has such a great premise here, that when halfway through it just meanders off and goes nowhere--and one of the two main characters becomes increasingly strident and one-note--it's hard not to become angry. I guess this is why I usually don't go back and read earlier works of authors, if I've started (and liked) their later work, which is the case with me and Mantel.
milliepyates's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
anneofgreenplaces's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up. This was an appropriate spooky month read (though I didn’t think of that at first, I’ve just had this in my library forever and then Mantel died so suddenly and tragically in Sept). Not only is it about a medium whose connection to the spirit world blends into daily life, but she’s haunted by ghastly men from her horrific childhood. This made it a bit difficult to read at times. And yet it’s strange how understated this trauma is, a sick undercurrent to the mediocrity of suburban greater London and the meh people in Alison’s life, who still manage to be interesting and even funny under Mantel’s pen. Seriously, Mantel can write. If the writing were any less good I’m not sure I would have stomached it. To be fair, I’ve always found the wastelands and anonymous buildings along motorways bleakly interesting, and Mantel captures that vibe with perfectly balanced lyricism. She also fits in commentary about classism, xenophobia and anti-immigration quite handily.
amyep__'s review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
wm95's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
readbycallum's review against another edition
5.0
“You see, most people, once they’ve passed, they’re not really interested in talking to this side. The effort’s too much for them. Even if they wanted to do it, they haven’t got the concentration span. You say they give trivial messages, but that’s because they’re trivial people. You don’t get a personality transplant when you’re dead. You don’t suddenly get a degree in philosophy.”
HILARY
HILARY
renfrancesbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
book0logy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
styna's review against another edition
3.5
Started off really strong and I did very much enjoy parts of it. An interesting way of looking at trauma and literally facing/taking down your past. The writing was lovely and my favourite parts were the casual conversations among the psychics about death and the spirit world. But it did drag in the middle and I found Colette to be more and more insufferable - intentional but hard to read. I also found the route to the ending quite confusing, though did like it as a whole.
suebarsby's review against another edition
3.0
A really original idea and some great observations. Drags in the middle. Will have to discuss it to get the story straight in my head.