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Home > Books > Fiction > Modern Fiction Books > T Modern Fiction Books > The Return - Victoria Hislop

User Reviews

for The Return - Victoria Hislop

Rating Summary based on 5 reviews

  • 5 Stars
    		2
  • 4 Stars
    		0
  • 3 Stars
    		2
  • 2 Stars
    		1
  • 1 Star
    		0

Detailed rating

  • Characters
  • How does it compare to other works by the same author?
  • How does it compare to similar books?
  • Readability
  • Story
  		• 3.8
  		• 3.4
  		• 3.6
  		• 4.0
  		• 3.8

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  • 62 of 62 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of fizzytom

    Level 9 fizzytom

    Member since 21/07/2003

    Reviews written: 986

    5 Stars "The Return" - a resounding "Ole"! 25/04/2009
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages A really compelling and well told story

    Disadvantages Disadvantages No need for contemporary tale around main sotry

    Much to the annoyance of her domineering husband, Sonia accepts her best friend’s invitation to join her on a salsa dance course in Granada. Before she leaves, Sonia pays a visit to her elderly father who shows a keen interest in her dancing, telling her about how he and her late mother were keen amateur dancers in their younger days. He shows her some photographs but quietly puts of them to the side without showing Sonia. When her father is out of the room she sneaks a look at the photograph which shows a group of children, one of them obviously her mother; although she doesn’t know exactly ... more
  • 39 of 39 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of wizo9000

    wizo9000

    2 Stars The Return: One Book I Won't Be Returning To... 03/07/2010
    User doesn't recommend the product

    Advantages Advantages Some decent characters, atmosphere & surroundings described well

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Lacks pace, particularly in middle. An effort to plough through. Forgettable.

    First published in hardback in 2008 (paperback in 2009), 'The Return' is author Victoria Hislop's second novel, after her debut 'The Island'. To be honest, this is not usually the type of book I would choose to read, but I've found some little gems in the past by being forced to read outside my comfort zone, and so I gave this book a shot recently. The Story We join the story in the modern day, when maritally-dissatisfied Sonia and her wayward childhood friend Maggie are on a short holiday in Granada, Spain. After discovering a love of salsa dancing, due to the desire to provide an escape from ... more
  • 34 of 34 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of newby2

    Level 8 newby2

    Member since 25/02/2007

    Reviews written: 1414

    3 Stars The Return of Hislop 06/04/2009
    User doesn't recommend the product

    Advantages Advantages good start and good end with good writing style

    Disadvantages Disadvantages too much war in the middle and it drags on

    The Return by Victoria Hislop... Victoria Hislop's first novel was The Island which was published a few years back now and I have ever since reading that been waiting for the next instalment from Hislop. I enjoyed "The Island" so much and it still has a lasting affect on me even now that frankly I was rather disappointed with Hislop's attempt at a second book. The beginning of the book starts off quite promising and is set in the current times as the book continues on the story of one woman and her friend setting off for dance lessons in Spain and within a few chapters we are transported back ... more
  • 0 of 3 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of prettypeta

    prettypeta

    3 Stars Title of "The Return" encapsulates the core of the storyline 08/04/2011
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages great, easy to read, engaging, words brought the characters to life

    Disadvantages Disadvantages It had to end

    In my opinion the book was well written and the words used painted a vivid picture of what transpired in those years at the cafe. The author Victoria Hislop was able to creatively bring each character has she use profound but yet descriptive words. As I read the book I was drawn into the story and I lived every chapter, every word as a part of that moment. The book at one point made laugh, then at other I torn but yet I was unable to put it down. And, even when it ended the impact of the story captivated me so much, that I ended reading the book not once but twice. This was to ensure that I ... more
  • 0 of 2 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of benhenryn

    benhenryn

    5 Stars The Return by Victoria Hislop 03/07/2010
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages totally absorbing book

    Disadvantages Disadvantages I was sorry to reach the last page

    After reading The Island, I was delighted to find another book by Victoria Hislop. The subject of the book immediately interested me as I frequently visit Spain but I was aware that I knew little about the Spanish Civil War and even less about the experiences of the Spanish people. Victoria Hislop's book opened my eyes, not only by informing me about the political issues of the Spanish Civil War but by painting a picture of the catastrophic events suffered by many of the Spanish people.Until reading this book I was unaware of the many cruelties and indignities inflicted upon the unsuspecting ... more
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