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Diane Barnes's Reviews > A Game of Hide and Seek
A Game of Hide and Seek
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"She was left with only her self respect, which did not seem to mean as much to her as she had been led to believe."
That's why I love Elizabeth Taylor. The quote above is describing a minor character, not one of the principles, but we get a complete picture of everyone who walks on the scene. It's like watching a play, you can see every move in your mind. She knows what motivates people, whether it's noble or base. The novel starts with an innocent flirtation between Harriet and Vesey as teens, then an accidental reunion years later when Harriet is married with a teenager of her own.
I was not fond of any of these characters, Harriet was wishy washy and easily led, Vesey was a horrible teenager and not much better as an adult. Her husband Charles has a cruel streak because of his insecurities, and her daughter Betsy was very naive and immature for a 16 year old. No matter: I needed to know what decisions these people reached, and why, and what happened because of them. Elizabeth Taylor took me there in high style.
This is my 4th or 5th novel of hers, and certainly not my favorite. I wouldn't recommend starting with this one, but still a worthy read for her fans.
That's why I love Elizabeth Taylor. The quote above is describing a minor character, not one of the principles, but we get a complete picture of everyone who walks on the scene. It's like watching a play, you can see every move in your mind. She knows what motivates people, whether it's noble or base. The novel starts with an innocent flirtation between Harriet and Vesey as teens, then an accidental reunion years later when Harriet is married with a teenager of her own.
I was not fond of any of these characters, Harriet was wishy washy and easily led, Vesey was a horrible teenager and not much better as an adult. Her husband Charles has a cruel streak because of his insecurities, and her daughter Betsy was very naive and immature for a 16 year old. No matter: I needed to know what decisions these people reached, and why, and what happened because of them. Elizabeth Taylor took me there in high style.
This is my 4th or 5th novel of hers, and certainly not my favorite. I wouldn't recommend starting with this one, but still a worthy read for her fans.
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Reading Progress
January 20, 2023
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Started Reading
January 20, 2023
– Shelved
January 20, 2023
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to-read
January 23, 2023
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Finished Reading
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Bianca
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Jan 23, 2023 03:34PM
Great review, Diane.
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Oh my gosh, Diane- we both thought of Harriet as wishy washy!! Yes, not my favourite of hers, but it left me thinking long into the night. There is something about her writing that draws me in so completely.
That's the thing about her. It's like watching your neighbors or friends do things you don't agree with, but being helpless to stop them. I just wanted to shake some sense into Harriet.
Great review! I am going through an indecisive stretch (though not regarding a love affair, sadly), so feel some umbrage at the description of Harriet as wishy-washy given that I rather sympathise with her paralysis.
We all go through periods like that, but in Harriet's case was particularly annoying as to her hero worship of Vesey, since I disliked him so much.
Great review, Diane. We feel exactly the same way about Taylor and her writing. The novel always starts as if there is nothing at all going to happen and then, when you reach the end, you realize it was a marvelous examination of the human soul.
Excellent review, Diane. I completely agree about Taylor's minor characters, and how she draws such complete pictures.
Her sentences convey so much in so few words, it's magical.
