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redpoll's review against another edition
4.0
A tentative four, because I think my lack of engagement in parts was due to a reading slump rather than the quality of the book. One to reread at some point.
hennershenners's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant, flawless.. except, sometimes I felt that maybe it was too witty? Or more accurately, MY 1980s comprehensive education wasn't quite up to the job? I was glad that I had seen the film - A LOT.
like for instance: at one point George leaves "a note of interrogation" (WTF?) its a question mark!
like for instance: at one point George leaves "a note of interrogation" (WTF?) its a question mark!
chloejo's review against another edition
2.0
Partly riveting, partly dull.
I didn’t really find any of the characters all that plausible, and should I have found myself at the Pensione Bertolini, I’d probably probably head to Rome in a hurry too.
I didn’t really find any of the characters all that plausible, and should I have found myself at the Pensione Bertolini, I’d probably probably head to Rome in a hurry too.
sydneyklecker's review against another edition
4.0
Well this was a lovely surprise of a book. Not that the book had a ton of surprises, just that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. I want to live in this book, it was just so dreamy.
vitabandu's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Forster’s little quips and puns were the highlight of this book and has definitely made me keen to read more of his works. This was a lovely easy read with an entertaining cast of characters and a vivid sense of place and time. I could picture every scene so clearly, and I empathise with all of Lucy’s conflicting emotions and anxieties.
adah65's review against another edition
4.0
Had a lot of fun reading this, very clever and funny. Beautiful messaging about love in the face of death, and how to love is to live really. All the characters and the setting of Italy made it feel sort of soap opera-y but definitely with way more philosophy and Italian art lol. My main gripe i guess is that I wish I had felt more of an attachment to Lucy’s character. At the beginning it was sort of implied that she was very passionate and independent but it was buried within her and other people in her life were stifling her. But to be honest I never really felt like she actually reached a high level of self actualization by the end of the book. I really didn’t like the second to last chapter where mr emerson basically just tells her what she’s feeling and then she’s just like omg you’re totally right like ??? It was super unsatisfying, that was something she should’ve discovered for herself. It just felt like a continuation of her just being defined by other people throughout the novel. And all the stuff with George just sort of kissing her multiple times just like his passion took hold of him and he couldn’t resist ??…. like okay I guess
tedney's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
icapturethecastle's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
syllu's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jay_the_hippie's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It took me a little while to get into it, but after a few chapters I kept wanting to know more: more about the characters and more about what would happen to them. The plot doesn't whoosh you along like in a modern action story, but its slower motion has a lot of power. I like the little subtleties and chance events that the author captures. The story reminds me a lot of reality. A romantic version of reality, maybe, but still reality.