Helpful Score: 8
I gave up on this book a little less than half way in. It's strange because I didn't necessarily dislike it, I just couldn't get motivated to keep going. Rowling's writing is beautiful and vivid but the wordiness made it a slow, difficult read. I didn't find any of the characters likable and couldn't seem to get invested in the story.
Helpful Score: 8
This book is very slow for the first 200 pages or so due to overwhelming character development. I decided to power through and reserve judgment until I was done. And in the end I loved it!
This book is a dark and depressing look at what goes on behind closed doors in a small village in England. If you are reading this book solely because you enjoyed Harry Potter, you may be disappointed. But if you can look past the wonderful wizard and get into this story outside of the HP context, you may actually enjoy it.
This book is a dark and depressing look at what goes on behind closed doors in a small village in England. If you are reading this book solely because you enjoyed Harry Potter, you may be disappointed. But if you can look past the wonderful wizard and get into this story outside of the HP context, you may actually enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 7
Despite the fact that this book was very bleak and dark, I really liked it. I think she has a wonderful writing style and I didn't mind the long list of characters. Please note that this is not at all like the Harry Potter books....it is very adult.
Helpful Score: 5
I was surprised to find the first non-Harry Potter book, by their author, offered by PBS. As an 82 year old reader, I enjoyed the movies so wanted to give this book a try. I found it long winded and trite, I'm sorry to say. It is a long book and I plodded along through it, thinking it couldn't get any worse. It did!
I would suggest that Mrs. Rowling stick to writing about little children riding on brooms instead of using her popularity to rope in readers because of prior popularity.
I would suggest that Mrs. Rowling stick to writing about little children riding on brooms instead of using her popularity to rope in readers because of prior popularity.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a major disappointment for me. I was looking forward to it - not expecting "Harry Potter" - but looking forward to a good read from an author who knows how to write a good story.
It's rare for me to just give up on a book, but after 175 pages I still wasn't enjoying it. Too many characters, none of them likable. A slow slog through story development. I found myself dreading it. It's off to the next person wishing on PBS ... I hope you like it better.
It's rare for me to just give up on a book, but after 175 pages I still wasn't enjoying it. Too many characters, none of them likable. A slow slog through story development. I found myself dreading it. It's off to the next person wishing on PBS ... I hope you like it better.
