Smashbomb

I struggled to care about these over privileged people as a whole. The main character especially. I made it through the first half of the book, which is 21 cds, and a ton of time. I felt like i invested a lot of my time into it, and didn't feel rewarded with a great classic piece of literature. That said it was well written for it's time and really provides insight into the thought and minds of the confederate side. It's a great slice of life for Civil war buffs. A lot of the racial language is cringe worthy by today's standards, but was probably very real for the time and even maybe lighter. I do not feel compelled to read the rest of it, one day when I am curious, I will watch the movie and that will probably be enough.

Kudos

ClareR (6256 KP) rated Bitter Orange in Books

Dec 21, 2018

Bitter Orange

Claire Fuller | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery

9.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

A Fantastic Book!

Frances Jellico lies dying in a hospital bed in the present day. She has flash backs to 1969 when she was asked to go to a large, dilapidated country house to assess the gardens for its new owner. She leaves London just after her mother dies - a mother who she had taken care of on her own for a long time. Already there when she arrives are Cara and Peter. He is an antiques expert, and Cara is his wife.
There is such a lot going on in this book: Cara and Peter have a strained relationship, Cara is clearly unwell; the vicar in the local church is not happy in his work, and Frances seems completely incapable of understanding relationships - her upbringing seems to have been very sheltered.
This is such a good story. I enjoyed uncovering the layers and the last few chapters were stunning and completely unexpected.