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Liked It “I really like Hilary Mantel's books- they are dark and quirky, and this one is no exception. It isn't really about very much, the narrator, Carmel is settling into University, along with two of her schoolfriends, and this is juxtaposed with memories of how the girls met and their lives at Primary...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Marie read most of this. Mantel has a great style and there are some wonderful passages, but she had a hard time connecting with the story and characters. Maybe she'll try it again later.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I really like Hilary Mantel's books- they are dark and quirky, and this one is no exception. It isn't really about very much, the narrator, Carmel is settling into University, along with two of her schoolfriends, and this is juxtaposed with memories of how the girls met and their lives at Primary and Secondary school. Yup, there is a great deal of detail about that. We are told by Carmel straight away that Karina is strange, Karina is the outsider. Carmel was forced to be her friend by her mother.. Now, at University Carmel wants to break free, from her background, from the person she used to be. She cuts her hair, and she becomes anorexic. Increasingly Karina is described as being greedy, as having "lard-soaked fingers". Friends all seem to dislike Karina, and no-one notices that Carmel is starving herself to near- death. Julianne, however, is thriving, doing everything right.
Lesley B wrote this review Monday, October 31, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is a slow read, interesting and deceptive- who really has the emotional problems here? Carmel's mother was determined that she succeed, and she gets to university, but at what cost to her mental well- being?
Add to this the description of live at the university for the girls, the poor food, the boyfriends being smuggled in, the abortions, and finally, tragedy.
Hilary Mantel's book is slow going but worth it./ A meticulous insight into friendship and family.”
“20101028. I'm glad I read this book. Mantel strings words together in an interesting way. About women, by a woman, the only way to fly. Ending is abrupt but complete.
Old Old Tom wrote this review Thursday, June 21, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
20120621. Reread the book, I hope I don't reread it again. Not worth it, lowered my rating to 3 stars.”
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“So much packed into a short novel - class consciousness, the cruelty of children, ambition, sex, anorexia, feminism, abortion, education as a way out. I've now read three of Mantel's books and she hasn't yet failed to wrongfoot me. I never know what to expect, and she never fails to surprise. Her observations are unerringly accurate. The only drawback for me was that I didn't empathise with any of the characters even though I recognised some of their characteristics.”
Deborah J wrote this review Wednesday, September 29, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I gave up on this one. It just didn't capture my interest. There were some great passages, but I just wasn't invested. One of those "it's not the book, it's me" sort of things.”
Marie wrote this review Monday, April 26, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Marie read most of this. Mantel has a great style and there are some wonderful passages, but she had a hard time connecting with the story and characters. Maybe she'll try it again later.”
Camden Public Library S wrote this review Tuesday, April 27, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“In the 1960's two young girls from a dreary northern mill town are pushed by their mothers to strive beyond their social rank and to escape their assured fates by force of education - first by passing the exams into an elitist convent school nearby, and then the exams and grades for London University. Class consciousness, religion. social pretentions, lost dreams and possibilities, and betrayals clash with the nitty gritty aspects of everyday life, poverty, trying to fit in at a level beyond your means, sex, abortion, anorexia, friendships or the appearance thereof, and sin”
Sherry A wrote this review Sunday, April 4, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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