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alwayslivedinthecastle's review
The archaic, hysterical sentence construction means I just can’t muster up any more enthusiasm for this. DNFing.
chefjeng's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars as the middle dragged
I have read all Emma Donoghue's books now and this is a very solid example of her work, though I generally prefer the things she writes that are set in the modern day and not historical fiction, which is not generally something I read. However, this compelling tale of divorce, love, nefarious intent and the complexity of relationships won me over. I had no idea it was based on a real case until the end and that somehow made it even better.
I have read all Emma Donoghue's books now and this is a very solid example of her work, though I generally prefer the things she writes that are set in the modern day and not historical fiction, which is not generally something I read. However, this compelling tale of divorce, love, nefarious intent and the complexity of relationships won me over. I had no idea it was based on a real case until the end and that somehow made it even better.
bimmbles's review
3.0
I prefer my historical lesbianism to be the main dish rather than a diluted afterthought but yanno what we still had fun.
forwalaka's review
3.0
Хотелось чего-то быстро читающегося. Это третий роман, который я читаю у Эммы Донохью, и она в третий раз не подводит, день пролетел быстро. Довольно интересная история о том, как английский адмирал решил развестись с беспутной жёнушкой, а в бракоразводном процессе оказалась замешана её подруга-феминистка.
kasss's review against another edition
2.0
This (hi)story is frustrating enough without the fictionalised account boring me to death...
I want to love Donoghue's work so badly but it's such a mixed bag.
I want to love Donoghue's work so badly but it's such a mixed bag.
celiapowell's review
4.0
I wrote this lovely review of this book and then accidentally deleted it. Wonderful. Anyway, it's the story of a dramatic divorce case, and a reluctant witness, Emily Faithfull, a pioneer of the women's movement in Britain, who gets drawn into the disintegration of her friend Helen's marriage. It's based on an actual divorce case from 1864, and much of the book is the very dramatic trial, with accusations aplenty, stained clothing and lurid evidence on the stand. Very enthralling.
kimia_hyperfocuser's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Damn.
Emma Donoghue's characters are so fascinatingly human. And I didn't see that twist coming... I looked down on the prudish Victorians all through the book, but by the end it was me who was scandalized.
Emma Donoghue's characters are so fascinatingly human. And I didn't see that twist coming... I looked down on the prudish Victorians all through the book, but by the end it was me who was scandalized.
rosadrinkbooks's review
4.0
This is not an easy read or about the burning passion of : “ a page-turning drama packed with sex, passion and intrigue.” This is instead a political fiction based on the hard life of “ Fido”, who is without irony aptly called Emily Faithful. The book despite its wrongly advertised allure of sex scandal highlights how callous and cruel you have to act in order to survive Victorian England. Donoghue’s real genius came in making Helen’s character cruel and unlikeable rather than the victim. In fact even Fido herself is somewhat pathetic and easily trapped despite her evident intelligence.