Burn Bright Book Club: Chime by Frannie Billingsley

Published March 11, 2013
Category: Book Club

Bel:

Cover

I believe I have the US 2012 paperback. The face of a delicate young lady and a forest in glorious shades of green and cream grace this surreal looking cover. The font of the title is in a burnished gold, and I don’t know if it’s the paper or an overlay effect, but it’s dewy and shiny and it gives the cover dimension. All said and done it is extremely beautiful. I’m glad they left the visible eye on the lady as a semi regular colour rather than photo shopping it to blend in more with the back ground, making it pop.

Characters

This book took me by surprise. It’s a little bit classic literature, with gentlemen and gentlewomen, and a little bit teen drama. However, as with all good books not everyone is as they seem and just when you think you have someone sorted, they go and change on you.

Favourite

I have to say I loved Rose. Honest to a fault and though everyone takes her to be a fool, she’s got hidden depths.

Least Favourite

My goodness I could not STAND Briony. I wanted to smack her up the side of the head. But I guess the constant self-deprecating inner dialogue works for the story. I had, however, had enough by the 5th chapter.

Beginning

We are brought in on a request by Briony to be hanged for being a witch.

Storyline

The story plods along and we learn about life in Swampsea, and her budding friendship with Eldric.

Ending

Not what I was expecting, but it was enough to redeem the book from driving me completely nuts to actually liking it.

Thoughts

If you have no issue with reading a narrative told from the point of view of a truly miserable character, then you’ll love this book.

The setting was lovely and the use of old mythology brought perils for locals to be wary of.

Quote

Wine and bread. This has always seemed rather ghoulish to me, as though one were smearing the threshold with puree of Christ.

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