Zoe Adams

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. It lost its way for the last 50 pages or so, however; but until then, I enjoyed the social critique and insight into the waiting trade in Paris (which often read like something written a hundred years ago rather than ten!).

I thoroughly enjoyed this - and loved how the political reflected, and impacted on, the personal - and vice versa. But Ma drove me crazy, and the ending seemed like such a let-down after such a mammoth book - which really could have been shorter. Overall, a satisfying read, if a bit of an anti-climax.

3.5 stars. This was a passable historical fiction novel nearly ruined by absolutely appalling narration. The intonation was so bad I was convinced this was read by AI - although seemingly not. This lacked depth, or nuance, but it was readable.

3.75 stars. This was a really good historical fiction book. Like most WW2 novels, it idolised the Allies, and so painted them as unsung heroes, skirting over the atrocities they too committed - but it was a more believable story than most, with good character development.

3.75 stars. This was better than I expected. It had more nuance, and explored some of the ethical dilemmas associated with AI quite well.

3.5 stars. There was a lot to like here - the story was good, and I enjoyed the historical aspect - I haven't read much about the Japanese occupation of China, nor the period immediately following. The book was, however, let down by quite atrocious writing. The dialogue was incredibly forced and the narrative very clunky.

This did absolutely nothing for me. I didn't feel remotely moved by the story; I felt the character development was poor, and found the plot very tired. Completely unmemorable.

I can see why this book is regarded as a modern classic, but it just didn't work for me. I didn't like the writing style and the characters were empty shells. There were aspects that did make me smile, however, and I appreciated the message. But it is my first - and last - Tim Winton. Not for me.

4.75 stars. I started off thinking I would hate this - oh, how I was wrong. I've never read such a believable love story, where the characters are not likeable, but their relationship so believable. It was fascinating - historically - and so emotional and engaging. The only thing I really hated was that Scarlett said ‘Fiddle-dee-dee' all the time, and I genuinely don't believe anybody has ever said that. Still, great book.

3.75stars. This was a little bit too close to home at times, but it was very well written, and I thought the different perspectives worked so well.

What a massive disappointment this was. This wasn't ‘beautiful, sparse' writing. It was simply naff writing, no story, no character development - just a pointless book.

2.75 stars. It's hard to believe this is the author who wrote broken country. I strongly disliked this; I didn't think the portrayal of adoption was accurate - or at least, representative. And I felt it was a cheap, domestic thriller that lacked the literary merit of Broken Country.

This was such a disappointing. I've read such rave reviews, but I found this really dull! I didn't feel anything for the characters - which is problematic in a book that has no plot - and nor did I find the writing particularly compelling.

3.75 stars. I really love Catherine Newman's writing. Her characters are flawed, but believable, and I love how each book is just a very short snapshot of life.

3.75 stars. I really enjoyed this. The characters in this are great, and it's such great and moving writing.

This was well-written, and at first, I thought I was going to really enjoy it. But it was just - dull. I really couldn't get into it nor see where it was going.

I accidentally read the sequel first, which I much preferred because the characters had matured and the writing with it. But this was still readable.

I didn't hate this; but it was very obviously a YA novel. It dealt with mature themes but in an overly simplistic way. But I have to say, what the main character ‘did' at one point was completely unforgivable, and I was surprised by how the author dealt with that incident.

3.75 stars. This was a really pleasant surprise. It was a rare example of a well done rom-com that was also a subtle social critique. The characters were flawed, but believable, and likeable, and while it isn't going to win any literary awards, it was a very good example of how to do this genre well.

I'm so glad I didn't know anything about the story before I read this. It is a masterful novel - although the only love story that felt genuine was that between Jean Valjean and Cosette, and not Marius and Cosette. It did seem self-indulgent in parts, however, and could easily have been 500 words less if it didn't include the slightly unnecessarily philosophical musings. Having said that, the reading experience was amazing and I learned so much about 19th century France that I could never have learned from ‘history' books.

3.5 stars. Amanda Prowse never fails to deliver a ‘fine' book. They never blow you away; they're completely forgettable, but they pass the time, and I can never find anything ‘wrong' with them.

If I was purely rating on enjoyment, this would be a 2.5. But I can see why this is one of the greatest works of literature. I also feel immensely proud that I made it - it is a very hard read. But not because it's badly written; it's just not really a novel. It's a philosophical meditation where the readers' experience is just not a consideration. It's dense; it's complex; it's self-indulgent. And it's very of it's time. But it is also very thought provoking.

2.75 stars. What a completely dull, forgettable, pointless book.

Wow. What an amazing novel. This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. Not my favourite book - but the book I have the most respect and admiration for. And I did enjoy it. All the characters came to life, all interwoven, expertly, within a deep social critique. It was a critique both of war and its senselessness, and of the historical form - about the myths that are woven in the name of ‘historical narrative', lending false coherence to the randomness - but almost beauty - of life. I have not felt so satisfied by a book in a long time.

Just to add - poor Sonya. Of all the characters, she really got the worst of it!

I really struggled with this. The author just tried to do so much. While the writing was lyrical, and oddly comforting, quite independently from the meaning being conveyed, I ultimately lost all interest.