Book Review: The Chimes by Anna Smaill

Title: The Chimes

Author: Anna Smaill

Goodreads Summary: The Chimes is set in a reimagined London, in a world where people cannot form new memories, and the written word has been forbidden and destroyed.

In the absence of both memory and writing is music.

In a world where the past is a mystery, each new day feels the same as the last, and before is blasphony, all appears lost. But Simon Wythern, a young man who arrives in London seeking the truth about what really happened to his parents, discovers he has a gift that could change all of this forever.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review:

My feelings upon finishing this novel were so conflicting because I equally loved so much of it that I wasn't fond of other bits. I will praise it for its originality, first and foremost. It has been a long time since I've read a narrative so unique. The liked that it was definitely an England the reader can be somewhat familiar with, but also not at all. There's references all throughout the book of recognisable things (the Shakespeare reference sticks out), which I didn't expect. It was nice because it helps the reader get an idea of where this place exists on a hypothetical timeline. But in saying that, it was still so far away from a reality we could know and it was fascinating! It was so interesting reading about a world so intrinsically grounded in music.

The writing was also just superb. Smaill honestly floored me with her prose in this book. I will say that at points this might have been to her fault but I can't look down on it too much because of how much I enjoyed it. Seriously. Some lines I literally read so many times because they were just so lovely. It never felt clunky and almost flowed with a rhythm that matched the music within the novel. It was a very nice touch!

As much as I want to shower this book with praise, I do have some issues with it (hence the rating). Let me say that I thought the second half of the book was spectacular! The first section, however, was a bit...confusing. Now I realise that this was on purpose. As the story deals with memory loss, it makes sense that you can't quite get your grip on the story for awhile, but while I can appreciate the intent of that decision, I don't think it worked completely. It made getting into the book really difficult and I felt like I must not have been reading it properly. Sure, it pays off in the end but I think it's risky to have a beginning like that. I also think some of the finer details of the world and story fell a bit flat.

Ending on a positive note though, I really, really loved the romance. I loved that it was subtely interwoven within the story. And queer representation, heck yes! For most of the book, I felt like I was reading too much into their interactions and that it definitely wasn't going to happen (because I'm always surprised when queer relationships actually happen, to be honest). But then I was so relieved to find out that it was actually there and they do end up together. It was just really sweet and I'm so glad that their ending wasn't as tragic as you're lead to believe for a few pages there.

Anyway, have you guys read The Chimes? If so, what were your thoughts? Did you like the confusing beginning or do you agree with me? Let me know down in the comments below :)

Until next time!

Jess, xxx