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This book turned out to be different than I thought it would be. There were several elements that I discovered as I read that attracted my attention even more.
I loved how atmospheric the settings were, from house to the cliffs. The historical and folklore aspects of the story also added to the intrigue. The book was slow at times, but the different timelines helped propelled the story. I enjoyed the setting a lot, especially considering the fact that I don't know that much about Italy in the second World War. Eva's past was heartbreaking, and the way she kept surpressing her own heritage even more. Poor thing. I did hate that she was blinded to everything at first, ignoring all the problems in the world because they scared her. That's no way to live. I'm glad she finally did stand up for herself and even joined the rebellion. I enjoyed Mirella a lot too, especially because she did not want to lie about being Jewish. I loved how strong she was! I also enjoyed Ettore and Pietro, although it was heartbreaking that Ettore died so horribly :( Dante immediately gave me weird vibes, so it wasn't surprising at all that he joined the Party, hated foreigners and killed his wife. Eva, a talented pianist can feel this shadow ever looming but knows she must carry on in the only way she can and one day she enters the grand and mysterious house of the handsome yet rather unnerving Dante Cavallera and soon after a very short period of getting to know each other, finds herself his new wife. It felt very much about the fascists and the impending war and the politics around that than about the creepiness and the thriller I was expecting. This was a clever way to start the novel because it begins with an instant mystery... just what has happened to Abigail?There are some comments thrown in across the storytelling, that imply hindsight. Eva reliving the time as if telling it directly to a reader made it feel all the more real. These comments were also very mysterious and always caught my attention. The story was similar to The Corset in that the main character considered herself responsible for the deaths which seemed to follow her. She was in fact a very unreliable narrator since she was mostly under the effects of either gin or laudanum but that just added to the overall sense of suspicion and confusion. There is also Mirella, Pietro, Ettore... all people of groups that have been marginalized, but whose courage compels them to be better and to have strength for others, as well as themselves. I really enjoyed that we got a glimpse into the way the Resistance was formed too, in the midst of all the chaos, violence and pain. Purcell has done a wonderful job with this novel. A wonderful job in obscuring the actual truth as to what is happening. Are, as it increasingly seems with the novel’s progression, the evil fairies real? Or is everything imagined by Hester’s clouded laudanum laced mind. Ambiguity reins supreme in this novel.
stars, but hard to rate a book like this for me. I really appreciated the insight it provided into life in Rome in 1938 and 1939, and I was happy to learn more about a less discussed aspect of the time, since everyone always talks about Germany. From a sociological and political perspective, this book covers many interesting topics that don't get talked about enough, but as an actual book with riveting characters or an interesting plot - much less. A wonderful new read by Anna Mazzola. Set in a gothic house where there are strange goings on, this is a house you might not want to visit in real life. The novel is set in Rome just as the rise of fascism is rearing its ugly head. The third part of the novel takes us forty years into the past where Miss Pinecroft is a young woman working together with her father on an experimental treatment for consumption. Dr Pinecroft lost his entire family, apart from Miss Pinecroft, to consumption, and his grief has left him with a burning obsession to find a cure for this pernicious disease. A burning desire that perhaps clouds his medical mind and reasoning. He is certain that the answer to curing consumption lies in the sea air. To aid him with his work he has been assigned a group of convicts who have contracted consumption and are all trapped within its grasp, bereft of a cure that is yet to be found. These convicts are confined to the caves that adorn the cliffside beneath Morvoren House. And it is within these caves that the treatment takes place. I believe this book is really unique. The paranormal and the horror of pre-WWII are so intertwined, you finish the story without real assurance of what actually happened: whether it was histeria, fear, an hallucination, or the actual truth. Eva herself seems to be unsure of her experiences, but choses to move on with her life the way she can, with her new-found family. When I see a book by Laura Purcell now I snap it up instantly. I also know what to expect - something Victorian, gothic, slightly creepy, containing lots of accurate historical fact, well written and very enjoyable.This book and its style of writing absolutely has an audience, but it's not exactly for me. The premise is engaging, I spent a significant part of my adult life in Rome, and most English language books tend to be sent in North America or the British Isles, so I was instantly hooked. I currently live in Poland and have spent the last five years of my life living in Slavic countries and spending much time there, so finding out our protagonist is a Slovene when I started was EVEN more gripping.
Dominguez, Noah (30 May 2020). "DC Cancels Lucifer, Will Release Final Issues as Collected Edition". CBR.com.
The past actions of Louise Pinefield (the lady of the house that Hester cares for) are still having repercussions to this day, and as Hester discovers more about the house certain revelations will change her forever. I think at this stage, we can say the only book I enjoyed from Purcell is The Silent Companions. The Corset was a miss being very crowded and having plot holes in it. Dante, από την πρώτη στιγμή, σαν ένα δαιμόνιο που απειλεί να φέρει την κόλαση στην γη. Παρότι στο τέλος, η συγγραφέας αφήνει ανοιχτό το ενδεχόμενο αναφορικά με την σατανική παρουσία στο σπίτι, οι αναγνώστες μπορούν εύκολα να αντιληφθούν πως η απάντηση είναι μια. Ίσως και η πιο λογική.
The second part of the novel will reveal what Hester is running from and that Hester is not even her real name. This part of the novel gives the reader some insight into Hester’s character and reveals that she is an alcoholic. This affliction plays a wonderful role in the narrative placing doubt in the reader’s mind about everything Hester encounters later in the novel. I must say that I loved the character of Hester. A broken young woman, addicted to gin, stealing the laudanum from the supplies. Hester is flawed and far from your perfect cardboard heroine.
I have had Bone China on my list for some time, and considering how much I loved "The Silent Companions" I was hoping for something just as good. Unfortunately, this just wasn't the case. You know that when a narrative begins with an excerpt from a police interview, there’s going to be a good story following it. (Well, that’s from my experience!) Kent’s story definitely did not disappoint and I think this book is great for this time of year: it is haunting and unexpected, whilst also messing with your head. In other words, it’s perfect for these dark days of approaching winter. Bone China is an eerie tale of obsession and redemption. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a psychological gothic mystery.
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