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Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Surrey Libraries.
May 08, 2015artemishi rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The World Before Us centers around two mysteries, one that happened 16 years ago and one that happened over 100 years ago, but it's not a mystery. It's more of reflection, driven by a plot, about how events and memories form connections between people. So the synopsis is a wee bit misleading, and that can lead to disappointed expectations. That aside, the narrative was interesting. It weaves among multiple perspectives and timelines, which was at times confusing, but the protagonist (Jane) is relate-ably a bit of a 30-something mess. And you're wanting, for the sake of the rest of the ensemble, to see her sort herself out. I liked the honest look at Jane, a woman trying to find parts of her life that don't revolve entirely around that one incident, thinking she has, and then ultimately failing, but still creating things of value to others in the world. It's definitely more 'literature' than modern novel, in terms of pacing and themes, but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. It's difficult to say much about this novel without giving anything away. I liked the journey, in that it was an interesting diversion that I could pick up and put down repeatedly as needed. I disliked the lack of closure about Lily. I recommend it for fans of classic lit pacing, stories that meander between modern day and the Victorian era, stories that revolve around people more than events, and all things British.