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rhiannonneill's review against another edition
2.0
So the blurb for this book had me excited to read it but I have to say I was quite disappointed
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
Every time I tackle a literary fiction, I'm thrust into an unfamiliar world where no one does the expected. It's surreal, and yet it's as real as it can get. The people behave the way you don't expect them to. The stories more often leave me reeling, and yet, it's exactly how it happens in the real world. This book in particular, had me questioning if I would've done exactly what they did had I been in their situation.
The novel started unassumingly enough. Michael walked into his neighbour's house with the intention of picking up a screw driver that he lent to Josh. The doors were unlocked, which surprised him considering the house seemed to be empty of its inhabitants. During the course of his search for the screwdriver, the narrator tells the sequence of events that forever linked Michael's life to the Nelsons'. With it, is the story of how his wife was killed, and the man responsible for her death. The novel is like a jigsaw puzzle. A mystery told sparingly, but with a tension you can cut through with a knife. The suspense is frustrating; infuriating, even. The novel take its time to reveal its true colours. The summary doesn't offer much, but the brilliance of this novel was the painstakingly slow reveal of every thing that makes it so addictive. It is that tension that persists throughout the majority of the book. But just when Sheers decided the readers have had enough, he forces us to see exactly how cruel "if only" scenarios could be. A pointless exercise that only lend to more frustration to the reader.
This novel is a close examination of guilt and grief. A potent, debilitating combination for the weak. Josh and Michael share a secret that if revealed, could very well ruin the lives of all the people involved. In this case, the novel looks at who most benefits a confession. Will the truth really set anyone free? Or would it just be another form of prison sentence for the guilty party? In the end, both Josh and Michael will be left with very little choice but to own their shares of the blame. Which is oddly satisfying for a non-resolution ending.
The novel started unassumingly enough. Michael walked into his neighbour's house with the intention of picking up a screw driver that he lent to Josh. The doors were unlocked, which surprised him considering the house seemed to be empty of its inhabitants. During the course of his search for the screwdriver, the narrator tells the sequence of events that forever linked Michael's life to the Nelsons'. With it, is the story of how his wife was killed, and the man responsible for her death. The novel is like a jigsaw puzzle. A mystery told sparingly, but with a tension you can cut through with a knife. The suspense is frustrating; infuriating, even. The novel take its time to reveal its true colours. The summary doesn't offer much, but the brilliance of this novel was the painstakingly slow reveal of every thing that makes it so addictive. It is that tension that persists throughout the majority of the book. But just when Sheers decided the readers have had enough, he forces us to see exactly how cruel "if only" scenarios could be. A pointless exercise that only lend to more frustration to the reader.
This novel is a close examination of guilt and grief. A potent, debilitating combination for the weak. Josh and Michael share a secret that if revealed, could very well ruin the lives of all the people involved. In this case, the novel looks at who most benefits a confession. Will the truth really set anyone free? Or would it just be another form of prison sentence for the guilty party? In the end, both Josh and Michael will be left with very little choice but to own their shares of the blame. Which is oddly satisfying for a non-resolution ending.
margaret21's review against another edition
4.0
This is a compelling read, and one which is hard to discuss without revealing too much of the plot. Michael, an author, is newly arrived in London, having left his home in Wales following the death of his Journalist wife in Pakistan. Next door live Josh and Samantha with their two daughters, and this unlikely fivesome become close friends. The story begins as Michael discovers his neighbours have gone out leaving their door unlocked. The events of that afternoon reverberate through the book and beyond.
First Michael, then other characters are introduced and described. We're having back stories and introductions until at least half way through the book. This is done in a way which invites curiosity, and drew me into the story.
This is book about grief, about guilty secrets, about relationships. It's also a poetic book. There's this: 'tiny women lost in monstrous SUVs, their painted nails clutching the steering wheels like the feet of caged birds', and subtle observations describing rooms, scenes on Hampstead Heath.
This is a clever, reflective novel. To call it a thriller is a mis-description. The action is all in the minds of the protagonists and is pyschologically astute. I'm glad to have read it.
First Michael, then other characters are introduced and described. We're having back stories and introductions until at least half way through the book. This is done in a way which invites curiosity, and drew me into the story.
This is book about grief, about guilty secrets, about relationships. It's also a poetic book. There's this: 'tiny women lost in monstrous SUVs, their painted nails clutching the steering wheels like the feet of caged birds', and subtle observations describing rooms, scenes on Hampstead Heath.
This is a clever, reflective novel. To call it a thriller is a mis-description. The action is all in the minds of the protagonists and is pyschologically astute. I'm glad to have read it.
georginabrooke's review against another edition
5.0
So beautifully written, and fantastically well structured plot. Reread recently and loved it just as much. It's rare for a thriller to also be genuinely moving.
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
2.0
Michael knew Caroline’s job was dangerous when he married her. As a foreign correspondent her field of interest was the Middle East and while he was also a writer his inspiration came from stillness and hers from motion. They both told the stories of people
But where Michael always retreated to his desk to tell his stories Caroline had simply moved on to the next. For her their telling was a need, a hunger. Her belief in the truth being told was almost fanatical, whatever the outcome of a story’s exposure.
Given her penchant for being in the midst of dangerous events it was never far from Michael’s mind that he could lose her at any time. That it would be to an American drone strike is beyond his comprehension. I Saw a Man by Owen Sheers follows not only Michael after Caroline’s death but also Daniel McCullen, the Air Force pilot who guided the Predator drone with the missile that killed her.
The rest of this review can be read at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-15n
But where Michael always retreated to his desk to tell his stories Caroline had simply moved on to the next. For her their telling was a need, a hunger. Her belief in the truth being told was almost fanatical, whatever the outcome of a story’s exposure.
Given her penchant for being in the midst of dangerous events it was never far from Michael’s mind that he could lose her at any time. That it would be to an American drone strike is beyond his comprehension. I Saw a Man by Owen Sheers follows not only Michael after Caroline’s death but also Daniel McCullen, the Air Force pilot who guided the Predator drone with the missile that killed her.
The rest of this review can be read at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-15n
noseinabookagain's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Whilst this was undeniably well-written and almost lyrical in its prose (makes sense that the author is a poet); it was also tedious and pretentious.
This is very much a character driven story; a telling of how characters decisions and actions shape their lives. There was very little plot.
A quick read, laden with grief. Wouldn’t read any others by the author.
This is very much a character driven story; a telling of how characters decisions and actions shape their lives. There was very little plot.
A quick read, laden with grief. Wouldn’t read any others by the author.
h_motionless's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After reading and studying Skirrid Hill, I was hesitant to read any other Owen Sheers fiction, but this novel far surpassed what I was expecting. I Saw A Man is a deeply reflective representation of guilt and grief that is rare to find - the closest thing I can think of is Christopher Isherwood’s novel A Single Man. This was incredibly written and had a pungent message, just lacked a little in overall plot.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Michael has moved to Hampstead in London following the death of his wife Caroline. Caroline, a reporter, was killed by a US drone strike in Pakistan and Michael has found it difficult to move on in his life. He makes friends with Josh and Samantha, the couple who live next door to him with their two daughters. After a tragic accident no-one's life is the same.
I don't really want to spoil the plot of this book because it pivots on a single incident and the effects of that as they spread around the characters. All I can say is that as a novel about loss and suffering, about guilt and secrets and the difficulty of redemption, this is a masterful book. It's not a particularly long book nor is the prose complex but it is clear that Sheers' ability to write poetry is an asset in writing this type of prose. It's probably one of the best books I have read this year.
I don't really want to spoil the plot of this book because it pivots on a single incident and the effects of that as they spread around the characters. All I can say is that as a novel about loss and suffering, about guilt and secrets and the difficulty of redemption, this is a masterful book. It's not a particularly long book nor is the prose complex but it is clear that Sheers' ability to write poetry is an asset in writing this type of prose. It's probably one of the best books I have read this year.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Michael has moved to Hampstead in London following the death of his wife Caroline. Caroline, a reporter, was killed by a US drone strike in Pakistan and Michael has found it difficult to move on in his life. He makes friends with Josh and Samantha, the couple who live next door to him with their two daughters. After a tragic accident no-one's life is the same.
I don't really want to spoil the plot of this book because it pivots on a single incident and the effects of that as they spread around the characters. All I can say is that as a novel about loss and suffering, about guilt and secrets and the difficulty of redemption, this is a masterful book. It's not a particularly long book nor is the prose complex but it is clear that Sheers' ability to write poetry is an asset in writing this type of prose. It's probably one of the best books I have read this year.
I don't really want to spoil the plot of this book because it pivots on a single incident and the effects of that as they spread around the characters. All I can say is that as a novel about loss and suffering, about guilt and secrets and the difficulty of redemption, this is a masterful book. It's not a particularly long book nor is the prose complex but it is clear that Sheers' ability to write poetry is an asset in writing this type of prose. It's probably one of the best books I have read this year.
katieeliza's review against another edition
3.0
This is very well written - almost claustrophobic with grief at times - and I love the dual narrative but the plot was just a bit 'meh'. Disappointing.