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Liked It “I have read everything Barbara Vine has written (and her real name author, Ruth Rendell). I thought the Chimney Sweeper's Boy was extraordinary and probably the best one, or among the best, she has written. The point of view of the wife is perfectly executed, and the weaving of the plot is...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “It is well written, particularly the character of the worn out and psychologically beaten down wife who never seems particularly grieved by her husband's death. Initially seen as callous, I identified with her the most in the end. Aside from her though, nearly every character is unlikeable and...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Barbara Vine (AKA Ruth Rendell?) has crafted a book about the dark past of adults and the dangerous lives they cover up. It's a book about grief and guilt, its consequences and the measures we take to protect our loved ones. For the most part it is a great detective story, thoroughly involving and entertaining and engrossing to read. It is however, unsatisfying when the conclusion and denouement fail to reach the heights the reader feels they were promised. The portrait of the monster we see throughout the novel, and the final reveal to what brought him there doesn't quite ring true.”
Randall E wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“2 1/2 stars Slow. Characters annoying. Sort of iffy if I liked it more than disliked it. ”
J R wrote this review Tuesday, August 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Refreshing to read a book where all of the characters have such strong flaws. However, the plot was a little weak - slow to develop and very predictable. Would recommend it as an easy holiday read, though. ”
Pippa T wrote this review Saturday, July 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not the kind of thing I usually read - someone gave it to me - but a perfect holiday read, not too demanding and a page turner. Agree with the other commentators that the big secret isn't really that earth shattering though!”
chickenlips wrote this review Tuesday, May 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very interesting story, but a bit slow going. Once you get into it, it is quite good!!”
Dianne F wrote this review Sunday, March 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“It is well written, particularly the character of the worn out and psychologically beaten down wife who never seems particularly grieved by her husband's death. Initially seen as callous, I identified with her the most in the end. Aside from her though, nearly every character is unlikeable and the story has a rather predictable conclusion. Given that "The Big Secret" hidden by the dead father/husband is drummed up so much, the revelation produces a rather flat "oh".”
Jen C wrote this review Thursday, February 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I have read everything Barbara Vine has written (and her real name author, Ruth Rendell). I thought the Chimney Sweeper's Boy was extraordinary and probably the best one, or among the best, she has written. The point of view of the wife is perfectly executed, and the weaving of the plot is good. OK, it's not literature, but I was mesmerized by it. ”
Linda D wrote this review Sunday, March 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I've read a lot of Ruth Rendell, but this is the first Barbara Vine book that I've finished, after getting quickly bored of The Blood Doctor.
bulphan wrote this review Thursday, May 17 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This one's quite slow going, with a gentle story of a man and his new identity and how his life came to be the way it was. It's not a riveting page turner, but there's just enough to make you want to get to the end and make sure you find out what happens. Worth borrowing from a library or a friend, or maybe you'll find my copy which is going BookCrossing soon.”
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