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Bianca (Away)'s Reviews > Honeybee
Honeybee
by
by
Bianca (Away)'s review
bookshelves: 2020, aussie-setting, coming-of-age, lgbtiq, library, male-author, wa
Oct 17, 2020
bookshelves: 2020, aussie-setting, coming-of-age, lgbtiq, library, male-author, wa
I was somewhat apprehensive to read this as I was one of the few people who wasn't that charmed by Silvey's Jasper Jones, which is now considered an Australian classic. I do try to give authors a second chance, especially if the previous read showed potential and talent.
In case my rating hasn't given it away, I loved Honeybee. I read it with a critical eye, expecting over the top misery and trauma, unbelievable characters and other tricks of the trade that make us feel. I never felt manipulated, I didn't find plot holes and, most importantly, Sam, aka Honeybee, was very believable. In Jasper Jones I could see the writer's strings, this time around I was completely captivated by the plot and the characters. I was also impressed with the pace and high level maintained throughout the novel, there were no parts that sagged or were tedious.
Oh, did I mention that Silvey is a Perth author and that the novel is set in Perth, Western Australia? That was just the cherry on the cake or should it be honey.
Highly recommended
In case my rating hasn't given it away, I loved Honeybee. I read it with a critical eye, expecting over the top misery and trauma, unbelievable characters and other tricks of the trade that make us feel. I never felt manipulated, I didn't find plot holes and, most importantly, Sam, aka Honeybee, was very believable. In Jasper Jones I could see the writer's strings, this time around I was completely captivated by the plot and the characters. I was also impressed with the pace and high level maintained throughout the novel, there were no parts that sagged or were tedious.
Oh, did I mention that Silvey is a Perth author and that the novel is set in Perth, Western Australia? That was just the cherry on the cake or should it be honey.
Highly recommended
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Reading Progress
October 16, 2020
–
Started Reading
October 16, 2020
– Shelved
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
aussie-setting
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
coming-of-age
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
lgbtiq
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
library
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
male-author
October 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
wa
October 17, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-25 of 25 (25 new)
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by
Laysee
(new)
Oct 17, 2020 09:52PM
Definitely honey on the cake to love a book set in your own hometown! Sweet review, Bianca. :-)
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Nothing like a local talent, even better when it's a local setting you can relate to. Good to hear you enjoyed this so much. Fab review Bianca.
Laysee wrote: "Definitely honey on the cake to love a book set in your own hometown! Sweet review, Bianca. :-)"Thanks, Laysee. It's nice to jump on the bandwagon.
Nat wrote: "Nothing like a local talent, even better when it's a local setting you can relate to. Good to hear you enjoyed this so much. Fab review Bianca."Many thanks, Nat. It was a very enjoyable reading experience; knowlegde of the location was just a nice add-on.
I love books set in my town—great ones, I mean! Damn you, must add! Thanks a lot, lol! Nice review!
Debbie wrote: "I love books set in my town—great ones, I mean! Damn you, must add! Thanks a lot, lol! Nice review!"I hope you enjoy it. You're welcome. I'm pretty sure you're responsible for way too many books on my TBR.
Another one that isn't available in my library system yet - but I'll keep my eye open for it!
I love it when second chances pay off, Bianca! Terrific review :)
Edgarr Alien wrote: "Great review again Bianca"Thanks, Edgarr. :-)
Lisa wrote: "Another one that isn't available in my library system yet - but I'll keep my eye open for it!"It's only just been released in Australia, I'm sure it'll make its way to the US eventually.
Candi wrote: "I love it when second chances pay off, Bianca! Terrific review :)"Thanks, Candi. It paid off this time. I don't know my current read, though ...
I really liked Jasper Jones so I hope I can find a copy of this one . Fantastic review, Bianca.
Great review. Glad to hear you highly recommend it, I put a reserve on it as soon as the library had a copy.
Angela M wrote: "I really liked Jasper Jones so I hope I can find a copy of this one . Fantastic review, Bianca."I think you'll have to wait a little longer, but I'm sure you've got plenty of books to keep you entertained meanwhile. :-)
Vanessa wrote: "Great review. Glad to hear you highly recommend it, I put a reserve on it as soon as the library had a copy."Thanks, Vanessa. I really liked it, I was afraid that it was going to be all preachy and so on, but it was sweet, sad, funny and just an enjoyable read throughout. The voice was believable, there was no fancy flowery language (as in All Our Shimmering Skies). I can't wait to find out what you make of it.
Elyse wrote: "Wow.":-)
I’m glad your decision to give the author a second chance paid off. This sounds really good Bianca!
JanB wrote: "I’m glad your decision to give the author a second chance paid off. This sounds really good Bianca!"Same here, Jan. I seem to struggle with coming-of-age novels, especially with the Australian ones. I'm glad I've got one to go onto the This-is-how-you-do-it-column.
Holly wrote: "Great review Bianca!"Many thanks, Holly.
Absolutely brilliant review Bianca! I just LOVE your last paragraph and specifically your last line. Well done!
Susanne wrote: "Absolutely brilliant review Bianca! I just LOVE your last paragraph and specifically your last line. Well done!"Oops, sorry, I missed your comment. Thanks. :-)
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Great review, Bianca. I DID enjoy Jasper Jones, and I'm always glad to see WA authors do well!"Thank you, Patty. I enjoyed some parts of JJ but had a lot of questions marks about motivations and behaviours.
