I really enjoyed this, a great summer read to get lost in, the characters were really interesting and I was thinking about it a lot once I finished.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

I have loved Meg Rossoff's books in the past, especially How I Live Now, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Although it does have some problems, I really did enjoy The Great Godden so much that it was a favourite of mine back in 2020.

So even though I am a little late to this review, this is a book that I still think about today. I have to admit that one of the reasons why I really enjoyed the book is because of Andrew Scott's narration on the audiobook. The book's plan is to have a genderless narrator and although I thought that the character was a female when reading it, it is up to you what you make of it which is a really unique concept. I can definitely see that it would make it for queer that way.

I think also I just love a whimsy story and this definitely has that it in buckets. It is a perfect summer nostalgic romance. The story can be a bit slow sometimes and it did take me a while to get through but I think that after reading it, it definitely did stay with me.

I also did enjoy the characters and the family drama in the story as it does make the story more mature as a whole. The Godden boys and all unique in the story and make a compelling story as the narrative unfolds in a way that I definitely did not expect.

More importantly, the book also goes and bridges the line between YA and adult books, which is something that I have discovered that I really love in books. This is also great itself as it is a more mature story that I feel like I am growing up to love. Although the reviews are somewhat divisive, it is definitely a worthy read, even if you just get the audiobook to listen to Andrew Scott.

The Verdict:

The Great Godden has the perfect summer whimsy vibes, perfect for those that like some complexities in their YA.

The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff is a quiet novel. Nothing outrageous happens in it but it is a mood. The novel seems very reflective and nostalgic even when events happen that cause sadness. It is almost as if the rose tinted glasses put a soft hue around bad events.

The events of the novel take place over a summer holiday in Ireland when things take an unexpected turn with the arrival of the Godden brothers. Kit Godden is charismatic and quickly captures everyone's eye whilst brother Hugo lingers in the background. Their arrival changes the dynamic and causes discord amongst the family.

The Great Godden isn't a fast paced novel but it does wrap its arms around you and carry you through it. You are engaged by the curiosity of this family and you are desperate to read on. Out of all the Rosoff books I have read, The Great Godden is my favourite.

The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff is available now.

For more information regarding Bloomsbury Publishing (@BloomsburyBooks) please visit www.bloomsbury.com.

Loved it!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Engrossing story of manipulation and loss of innocence, beautifully written. i went into this book with zero expectations, and i'm glad i did because i was proven wrong!

A beautifully written novel (maybe more of a novella, I read it in one afternoon). A very literary take on YA fiction, with the trops of summer romance, family relationships, and what it means to be in love/lust with someone who isn't who they seem. Recommended for those who like their writing a little more 'flowery', as the plot doesn't really...do anything? It's more of a thinker. I did like it though.

'The Great Godden' is the most perfect bittersweet summer read! It is quite short so I read it in two sittings and was just left wanting more so I am definitely going to pick up some of Meg Rosoff's other books.

I thought it was really clever how the author never reveals the name, gender or age of the main character. I don't think not knowing took away from the story at all and I think it is super interesting how different people read the character is different ways.

A coming of age story involving a long hot summer, family, love, infatuation, deceit, betrayal and everything in between, evocative and beautifully written, I loved it.

I have put off writing this review for so long because contrary to popular opinion, I thought this book was pretty bad. I am a big fan of Meg Rosoff and usually find her work to be thoughtful, well-written and insightful but sadly I found 'The great Goden' to be extremely shallow with 1 dimensional characters that I couldn't care less about. I really genuinely can't understand why it's received so much praise. Just not one for me I suppose.

This was a very quick and easy read - perfect for the beach - but I think the brevity of the story made it hard to really engage with any of the characters or feel very absorbed with the story. I particularly found the character of Kit to be a bit of a caricature and not very believable.

The highlight of the book for me was the ambiguity around both the name and gender of the narrator. This definitely added another dimension to the story and set it apart from other similar YA reads.

Overall a very undemanding and enjoyable novella.

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

Four children and their parents spend every summer in their beach house with their adult cousin, Hope, and her partner, Mal, nearby. But this year everything changes when the Godden brothers arrive. Hugo is mostly silent and very reluctant to join in anything. In stark contrast, Kit is irresistible, charming and a sex god in the eyes of the young females of the family. They succumb at their peril.
The changing relationships and unfolding events are observed and narrated by the oldest of the four children. At times it felt like not a lot was happening - in fact, as a lazy summer should be - but the beautiful description and lyricism of the prose was completely absorbing,
A joyous coming-of-age tale.

Several times I've sat down and attempted to write my review of The Great Godden, and each time I've been unable to express the sheer joy reading this book gave me. I read How I Live Now many years ago and it's stayed with me for a long time, I still think about it often. Within the first few pages of The Great Godden I was transported back into the unique world of Meg Rosoff's lyrical prose. Many authors have a distinct style of writing, but with Rosoff, reading her novels is a completely immersive experience.

The Great Godden is a coming of age story that examines growing up as part of a slightly chaotic and messy family. Set during summer vacation, the hazy heat and sun-drenched warmth seeps through the pages. Rosoff captures the lethargic ease of summer, with the days slowly melting into one another. It's such an atmospheric and nostalgic read, you really feel like you're side by side with the characters. It almost feels like a play in novel form: you're watching the drama unfold as if you're watching from afar rather than just reading words on a page. It has a beautiful timeless quality to it: Rosoff illuminates this particular period of life for a small group of characters, completely disconnected from the wider world.

Meg Rosoff's writing is, quite simply, stunning. The novel is short and not a single word is wasted, with each paragraph bursting with beautiful descriptions of the characters and setting. Rosoff has this incredible ability to capture the raw emotions and passions of her characters without employing needlessly embellished or flowery language. She uses language sparsely and precisely, but this by no means takes away from how emotive the text is throughout. Just as impressive are the gaps in the dialogue, the meanings behind the things left unsaid. So much is left open to interpretation, including the name and gender of the narrator (which I loved).

A poignant and alluring novel about relationships (familial, romantic, platonic), our perceptions of ourselves and others, and the tragedy of young love. Beautifully written and utterly captivating, I can't recommend The Great Godden highly enough!

An easy, summery read with lots of sunshine, teen angst, love and fun. Recommended for fans of Bonjour, Tristesse

I am in love with Meg Rosoff's novels since I read "How I Live Now", which is one of my favourite books.
The Great Godden didn't disappoint me. The language was vibrant and real and it reminded me a bit of "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith.

This was a novella about life and how our feelings develop as we grow up. It presents different themes such as family, jealousy, manipulation and disappointment.

It a short book but deeply moving.

As ever, Meg Rosoff delights me with her thought provoking yet accessible storytelling style. A lovely, whimsical read. I loved it!

I loved this beautiful book, fizzing with tension and alive with the possibilities that come with being young and carefree. I loved the family dynamics - Meg Rosoff writes great characters!

This is a superb novella, described as being YA but I think it’s suitably brilliant for all readers - particularly those who want a fast-paced, realistic summer read, one that isn’t all cocktails and sunshine.

The first-person narrator is nameless but integral to the plot. Summer with her family means descending on holiday home which is probably off England’s east coast but isn’t wholly clear - not that this is essential to know. What follows is a sometimes funny, sometimes tragic journey with her family, from flirtatious, narcissistic Mattie, through to bat-obsessed Alex - and, the arrival of Kit and Hugo, brothers from Los Angeles (their mother, Florence Godden, is godmother to one of the children).

This is so brilliantly written it’s amazing that Rosoff does so much with so few words. She juggles, skilfully, in excess of ten characters; we learn of their foibles and behaviours, their qualities, good and bad. This feels distinctly British - Rosoff, an American, has lived in the UK for a long while and she has a faultless way of representing the life of the UK’s citizens.

I loved this. I will give it five stars. My only qualm is that of Kit and Hugo. Are they British? They live in the US but don’t seem American. It doesn’t matter - but I would have liked a little more contrast between these characters and the others, aside from the obvious - no spoilers, though... you’ll have to read it!

‘The Great Godden’ deserves to be an escapist summer classic with a somewhat dark, destructive heart. I hope others feel similar to me.

A simple summer story, beautifully written, with teenage angst sprinkled on each page. I blasted through this in an afternoon, on a sunny Sunday, and very much enjoyed.