Reviews

Learning to Talk by Hilary Mantel

hollyannsa's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

The author’s use of the language is masterful. A delight to read.

tamponpaw's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Для рассказов — супер. Еще вчера думала поставить три звездочки, но все-таки ставлю четыре. Есть в этих коротких историях что-то знакомое и как будто личное.

Каждый рассказ объединяет тема детства. Главные герои — дети разных возрастов, но даже не в возрасте дело. Их наблюдения точно такие же, какие мы испытываем на себе по мере взросления. Когда ты еще считаешься маленьким человеком, но твои мысли опережают всех взрослых, только ты их держишь при себе. Взгляд на мир в каждом рассказе удивительно точный, я сама вспоминаю себя в такие периоды и соглашаюсь, что да, я рассуждала точно так же.

Кто-то пишет, что это хороший старт для знакомства с авторкой, и если судить по этому сборнику, я бы с удовольствием почитала у нее что-нибудь большое.

lmplovesbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Technically not a memoir but loosely autobiographical collection of stories from a gifted writer.

golden_hanne's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

anw115's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

A quick read that didn’t really stick

editrix's review against another edition

Go to review page

This is the only Mantel I’ve read, and while the writing was sharp, I didn’t find it especially moving. This collection feels like it might work better as an addendum to the rest of her work than as a introduction to it.

cicieleloo's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A really nice collection of stories all from the perspective of children. Mantel really captures something about how it feels to be a kid, the way you perceive events and adults around you. I said to my husband it felt like reading magical realsim but without the magic which you'd think would just be realism... but it's not it's something a little more than that.

marissakellett's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective medium-paced

3.0

jborst's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I wasn't wowed by this collection, but it does make me want to read Giving up the Ghost to get to the meat of Mantel's childhood.

edition_limitee's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75