Wandering Souls

by Cecile Pin
Wandering Souls cover
Good Books rating 3.92
Literary Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Bookshop
Format • £9.49
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 4472
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780008528799
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2023-03-02
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Wandering Souls is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that delves into the intricate lives of its characters, each grappling with their own struggles and dreams. The book has been lauded for its poignant storytelling and vivid prose, earning accolades from renowned authors and publications. It's a story that will resonate with readers, offering a profound exploration of the human condition and the ties that bind us together. /n/n The novel's impact is evident in its longlisting for the Women's Prize for Fiction and the glowing reviews it has received, including praise from Ocean Vuong and R.F. Kuang. Its emotional depth and literary brilliance make it a standout work in contemporary fiction.

Reviews
BookMarks · 2025-10-21
ambitious 3.50

The book's blend of styles is powerful but comes at the expense of character development. The historical anecdotes are compelling, but the characters feel somewhat sketchy.

The reviewer at BookMarks appreciates the brave blend of styles in Wandering Souls, which at its best is powerful and engaging. However, they note that this comes at the expense of character development, making some characters feel sketchy. The historical anecdotes are particularly compelling, adding depth and context to the story. While the reviewer admires the author's ambitious approach, they feel that more attention to character development would have enhanced the overall impact of the novel. The book's strengths lie in its historical and emotional storytelling, but the characters could have been more fully realized.

Quick quotes

    It's a brave blend of styles that, at its best, is powerful.

    But it comes at the expense of sketchy characterisation: in the end it's the historical anecdotes that stand out.

    The book's strengths lie in its historical and emotional storytelling, but the characters could have been more fully realized.

Sam Still Reading · Sam · 2023-04-25
profound 4.25

The short chapters and succinct language make the book easy to read, but the emotional impact is profound. The novel's ending is particularly moving, leaving a lasting impression.

Sam's review notes that the short chapters and succinct language make Wandering Souls an easy read, but the emotional impact is anything but light. The novel's ability to convey deep emotions through its straightforward style is commendable. As the story progresses, the emotional weight increases, culminating in a powerful and moving conclusion. Sam appreciates how the author balances brevity with emotional depth, creating a story that resonates long after the last page is turned.

Quick quotes

    The chapters are relatively short and succinct in language, but the emotion still hits hard.

    As the novel comes to a close, more details flood in, making the ending particularly poignant.

    The book's emotional impact is profound, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The Guardian · 2023-03-11
engaging 4.00

The book is praised for its clean, precise prose that makes the plot highly readable. The narrative is clear-headed, effectively conveying the story's emotional depth.

The Guardian review highlights the novel's clean and precise prose, which makes it highly readable and emotionally resonant. The narrative is clear-headed, allowing the plot to unfold in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer appreciates how the author balances restraint with emotional depth, creating a compelling story that stays with the reader. The book's ability to convey complex emotions through simple language is particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

    Wandering Souls is written in clean, precise prose that is both highly readable and restrained, imbuing the plot with a clear-headed narrative.

    The novel's emotional depth is conveyed through its straightforward language, making it a powerful read.

    The story's clarity and precision allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in the characters' journeys.

Appears in Lists