This was quite enjoyable as a sort of "slice of life" novel about the a small English village in the mid-1800s. Author Setterfield clearly did a lot of work to get the historical details right; her characters and setting really come alive. I was sorry to say goodbye to them at the end -- which, based on the last sentences, means Setterfield's job was well done!
I didn't care for the magical realism aspects so much, unfortunately. Although it's at the very heart of the plot, with the "magical river child" affecting everyone around her, the magic often came off as too twee for the darker bits. This book has some happiness and light, but also plenty of death and violence (the latter especially towards women). The balance just felt off to me somehow, and I think it was down to the magic.
(I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley)
I didn't care for the magical realism aspects so much, unfortunately. Although it's at the very heart of the plot, with the "magical river child" affecting everyone around her, the magic often came off as too twee for the darker bits. This book has some happiness and light, but also plenty of death and violence (the latter especially towards women). The balance just felt off to me somehow, and I think it was down to the magic.
(I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley)