Featured Review: Portrait of Stella

[kimberly23]

so

[Riki]

I'm most intrigued by the switching of narrators. I've once read a series where each book was told from 1 of 3 main characters, giving not only the character's rich complexity but the world as well. Portrait of Stella allows for that same kind of growth in both Stella and Jemima to develop the scene through their point of views. This book might not be one of my favorites, but the mechanics of multiple narrators is always something to be applauded.

[Ebe Read]

As I am from South Africa, this book is pushing some of my buttons, but from your review, I should probably read it. Thanks for your insights.

[Nacih Mohssine]

What to expect from a book whose title is "Portrait of Stella"??
We know that good books have good titles and great books have great titles. That seems a value judgment. But as a reader, I have that right to be captured by titles, knowing also that titles function good a tool to motivate readers to read and/or purchase a book. At least, this is what we have been taught in the first lessons in composition, and what discourse analysis preaches every now and then; choose the best titles to sell and capture.
For instance, the movie "Fight Club", is a movie that is about a club for those who are interested in fighting. This is, for me, a good title, that gives me an idea about the what the movie is about. Watching the movie emphasises this idea agreat deal. As a consequence, I am not deceived by the title; in fact, I am glad to have the movie gaining my entrusted reading.
Back to the question: what do I have to expect from the title?I expect that it is a book about a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders like saying ‘a portrait of George III’, and ‘a portrait painter’. consulting any dictionary would have the same idea about what a portrait is. I expect that it is a book about a representation or impression of someone or something in language or on film or television like saying ‘the writer builds up a fascinating portrait of a community’.
At least, what I do expect this: it is a book about Stella, a woman, a girl, a female character. In this book, I expect that Stella is an known person to me, that through the book, I would gain some information via a narratological systme that may render this unknown person as a real person, in terms of good deeds, that I would, by finishing reading the book, be glad that i have added to my knowledge that there is a character called Stella whose life in a book has left me with so much interess. And now I am interested.
Otherwise, why should I care of a person at all?

[ahanmisi anna]

good one

[BookishBookkeeping]

Thank you for this good review. I saw the cover and thought it wouldn't be any good, not a good way to judge a book, but this review has me interested. Finding out where you come from is always a good read for me. Adding this book to my shelves to read later.

[Sheela kanwal]

That's a great review! It's really interesting and beautiful. It is very well defined and easy. I think it will be a good read. Looking forward to it.

Thank you !

[Dayang Siti Zuraida]

Wow! This book really make us to think who is Jemima actually. Why her family fake her birth certificate? Whats the story behind the family secret.

[jemgirl202]

Fantastic review! I am so interested in reading this! I will definitely add it to my shelf.

[Katherine Smith]

This book sounds very interesting and I like that it is a worldwide search to discover who Jemima is. It reminds of the adult children who find out that they are adopted and relentlessly search for their birth parents. I like that the novel has two main characters that share their stories.

[ngugielikamz]

Sounds intriguing I really would like to read this book

[Vivian Paschal]

I know I'm interested in reading this book, and I usually don't like historical novels. This is a very nice review, and it makes the novel sound nice as well. I hope I get to read it.

[Mrsbellaz]

Great review! I can't imagine finding out my whole existence was a lie. Sounds like a really good read.

[Viktor Mihajlovski]

Thanks for the review, a great job, well done, will put this book on my to read list ...

[Lennycat]

Thanks for the informative review. It sounds like an interesting read and I love that it has an air of mystery and self-discovery. I'm not much of a World War II read though, so I would probably skip this one.