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3.06 AVERAGE
3.06 AVERAGE
Immediately upon starting this novel I was confused. The writing was disjointed and full of so many similes it was hard to grasp any sort of narrative. It felt very contrived and pretentious and meant I had a hard time getting to know any of the characters.
Then, suddenly, the "big event" happens and the pacing becomes more manageable as the paragraphs and chapters lengthen and offer a deeper look at the thoughts and motivations of the characters. It was incredibly uncomfortable reading certain descriptions of Anna's maturation and her own mother's take on the sexualisation of a teenage girl. There is absolutely no world in which I can imagine a woman ever thinking in such a way and the fact that this comes from a male author makes it all the more abhorrent.
The only characters I felt were trustworthy were in fact the two teenage daughters. Anna and Sophie were depicted realistically as being caught up in their own worlds; this is crystal clear in the last interaction we see between them where both girls are worrying what the other is thinking about them and Sophie chooses to walk away rather than confront her own hurt.
My hopes were raised when Amos intervened on his daughter's behalf but the final chapter implies that he didn't take a proper stand for her after all. Retsy and Emerson were strange characters seemingly devoid of emotion and only interested in themselves. Claire seemed far too concerned about social standing and not wanting to tip the applecart rather than being there for her daughter in a time of need.
This was just an uncomfortable read on so many levels - the writing style didn't engage me, the characters were vapid and two dimensional and I was incredibly put off by some of the views expressed on teenage girls and sexualisation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Then, suddenly, the "big event" happens and the pacing becomes more manageable as the paragraphs and chapters lengthen and offer a deeper look at the thoughts and motivations of the characters. It was incredibly uncomfortable reading certain descriptions of Anna's maturation and her own mother's take on the sexualisation of a teenage girl. There is absolutely no world in which I can imagine a woman ever thinking in such a way and the fact that this comes from a male author makes it all the more abhorrent.
The only characters I felt were trustworthy were in fact the two teenage daughters. Anna and Sophie were depicted realistically as being caught up in their own worlds; this is crystal clear in the last interaction we see between them where both girls are worrying what the other is thinking about them and Sophie chooses to walk away rather than confront her own hurt.
My hopes were raised when Amos intervened on his daughter's behalf but the final chapter implies that he didn't take a proper stand for her after all. Retsy and Emerson were strange characters seemingly devoid of emotion and only interested in themselves. Claire seemed far too concerned about social standing and not wanting to tip the applecart rather than being there for her daughter in a time of need.
This was just an uncomfortable read on so many levels - the writing style didn't engage me, the characters were vapid and two dimensional and I was incredibly put off by some of the views expressed on teenage girls and sexualisation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was true literary fiction, with excellent writing and a meaningful yet complicated story at the heart.
I find books like this really hard to review because on the one hand I enjoyed it and can fully say it was a great piece of literature; on the other hand I didn’t ADORE it, the story was good but nothing that has stayed with me and certainly not something I will pick up again but I’m still glad I read it.
The book encapsulated the imperfections of relationships, whether that friendships or family and everything in between. The story sits in this lovely little sweet spot of being drama but not being over dramatic and hats off to the author for that.
I did find myself for much of this novel wishing people would just speak to each other and tell the truth. But as is the same in real life that never happens and things fester. Unfortunately the actual climax came far to close to the end and I think I would have like the aftershock to have been longer, I think the characters needed to sit in the horrid mess and conflict for much longer.
3/5⭐️
[ This book was kindly gifted to me by BookBreakUk ]
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to the publisher for an early copy. This is the perfect summer read, albeit with substance. Tense and a bit hard to keep track at times, but I very much enjoyed this.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The narrative delves deeply into the complexities of friendship, fate, and unspoken truths. It captures the emotional friendship between Amos and Emerson, showcasing the highs and lows they navigate together. The portrayal of their relationship is both sharply. Revealing not just the joys of their connection but also the shadows of betrayal that can linger in even the closest of friendships. Through their journey, readers are invited to reflect on the intricacies of family dynamics and the impact of choices made over time. Surprisingly, this was a very emotional read for me. The writing is brilliant, capturing the essence of the characters and their relationships in a way that draws you in. It’s the perfect book when you’re looking for a story that centers around the complex lives of its characters, making you think deeply about your own connections and the choices that shape them. I can't wait to read more of the author, big thanks to the editorial and netgalley for the access to this ARC
I thought this was truly stunning. Hal Ebbot’s writing felt hypnotizing. He strings sentences together that are bountiful with wisdom but also leaves out info for the reader to assume on their own… which felt fresh and made me enjoy the book even more. I’ll give a brief glimpse of inside below because I think knowing the bare bones is the way to go in…
Emerson and Amos have been friend since college, when their families meet one Fall weekend to celebrate Emerson’s birthday when a shocking act is committed and a 30 year old friendship begins to unfurl…
The opening is set in the beginning of October but doesn’t necessarily feel like a Fall book. It moves forward as well as flashbacks. Making it a good pick to throw in your beach bag. With a low page count and a few pages per chapter, paired with the propulsive plot drop… this made for a quick read.
Thank you @riverhead
Releases 6/24
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challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Having just finished this, I am not sure how I feel. On one hand, the content made me feel tense and uneasy and I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading at points, however there is something in the writing, tone and way the story is articulated that meant I just couldn't put it downv even if I wanted to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes