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erikajay's review against another edition
2.0
Only two stars because for a suspense book, this wasn’t very suspenseful.
I enjoyed the writing and was interested in where this story was going, but it should’ve just been labeled as a ‘general fiction’ book. Only at the end do things pick up and start to put the reader on endless, but then the excitement is over so quickly.
I enjoyed the writing and was interested in where this story was going, but it should’ve just been labeled as a ‘general fiction’ book. Only at the end do things pick up and start to put the reader on endless, but then the excitement is over so quickly.
spiderpirate's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
livpaige93's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Sexual violence
bookish_withsky's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Not much of a plot, more of a character study and commentary in my opinion. That in no way means it is bad. I loved this book and devoured it in one sitting, highlighting every single line that made me feel something - spoiler alert: there were a lot. I loved this so much.
Not much of a plot, more of a character study and commentary in my opinion. That in no way means it is bad. I loved this book and devoured it in one sitting, highlighting every single line that made me feel something - spoiler alert: there were a lot. I loved this so much.
sdraws's review against another edition
2.0
This book is too much a contradiction and I feel it falls into the same pitfalls of gratuitous thrillers that it itself critiques. The main character is assaulted and becomes a professor in the country side. Clearly suffering from the trauma of her assault, a particular student poses a similar threat in her life. Her existence feels reduced to victimisation throughout, as she consistently makes bad decisions (maybe call the police as soon as your student writes threats about you infant son) and is as much an object as the “sexy female murder victim” that was so prominently criticised in one of her student’s works. Also, the fact that the only feminist critique came from a man who explicitly manipulates the women around him to reduce them to objects in his life story comes off as trite it could be a criticism of the nice-guy stereotype - a la the male feminist who says the good feminist words and expects women to fall all over him - but it rings a little hollow when the women are portrayed as constant victims or as vapid as the young female student is. The main character’s only moment of assertion is when she tells a guy to not be relived that her sleeping with a student was non-consensual. Hurrah.
It just comes across as a book of a woman being brutalised with horrendous men and some inadequate scenes of genre critique attempting to bandage the gaping wound that leaves behind.
It just comes across as a book of a woman being brutalised with horrendous men and some inadequate scenes of genre critique attempting to bandage the gaping wound that leaves behind.
whoaitsbaker's review against another edition
4.0
"The Body Lies" by Jo Baker is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that delves deep into the complexities of power, violence, and the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality. Published in 2019, this novel follows a young writer who becomes embroiled in a chilling tale of obsession and danger after taking a job as a creative writing professor at a remote university in the English countryside.
The story begins with the unnamed protagonist, a young mother and writer, as she relocates with her family to a quiet village to escape the pressures of city life and pursue her passion for teaching. However, her idyllic new life is soon shattered when she becomes entangled in the dark and disturbing world of one of her students, Nicholas Palmer. As Nicholas's behavior grows increasingly erratic and threatening, the protagonist finds herself drawn into a harrowing game of cat and mouse, where the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur with devastating consequences.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Body Lies" is its exploration of the pervasive nature of violence against women and the ways in which society often fails to protect and support its victims. Through the protagonist's experiences and interactions with her students, colleagues, and law enforcement, Baker exposes the systemic barriers and prejudices that prevent women from seeking justice and finding safety. The novel confronts difficult and uncomfortable truths about gender, power dynamics, and the consequences of toxic masculinity in contemporary society.
Baker's prose is atmospheric and evocative, capturing the eerie beauty of the English countryside and the creeping sense of unease that pervades the narrative. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, as the protagonist grapples with fear, uncertainty, and the weight of her own trauma. The pacing is masterfully controlled, with each twist and revelation propelling the story forward toward its shocking and unforgettable climax.
The characters in "The Body Lies" are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, each with their own secrets, desires, and vulnerabilities. From the enigmatic and manipulative Nicholas Palmer to the sympathetic and flawed protagonist, every character feels authentic and fully realized. Baker explores the complexities of human relationships with nuance and sensitivity, shining a light on the ways in which trauma and violence can shape and distort our perceptions of ourselves and others.
In addition to its compelling characters and gripping plot, "The Body Lies" raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of storytelling and the power of narrative to shape our understanding of reality. As the protagonist struggles to make sense of her own experiences and navigate the murky waters of truth and fiction, the novel invites readers to consider the ways in which we construct and interpret the stories that shape our lives.
Overall, "The Body Lies" is a haunting and powerful novel that combines elements of psychological suspense, literary fiction, and social commentary to create a gripping and unforgettable reading experience. Jo Baker's masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human psyche make this a must-read for fans of intelligent and thought-provoking thrillers.
The story begins with the unnamed protagonist, a young mother and writer, as she relocates with her family to a quiet village to escape the pressures of city life and pursue her passion for teaching. However, her idyllic new life is soon shattered when she becomes entangled in the dark and disturbing world of one of her students, Nicholas Palmer. As Nicholas's behavior grows increasingly erratic and threatening, the protagonist finds herself drawn into a harrowing game of cat and mouse, where the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur with devastating consequences.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Body Lies" is its exploration of the pervasive nature of violence against women and the ways in which society often fails to protect and support its victims. Through the protagonist's experiences and interactions with her students, colleagues, and law enforcement, Baker exposes the systemic barriers and prejudices that prevent women from seeking justice and finding safety. The novel confronts difficult and uncomfortable truths about gender, power dynamics, and the consequences of toxic masculinity in contemporary society.
Baker's prose is atmospheric and evocative, capturing the eerie beauty of the English countryside and the creeping sense of unease that pervades the narrative. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, as the protagonist grapples with fear, uncertainty, and the weight of her own trauma. The pacing is masterfully controlled, with each twist and revelation propelling the story forward toward its shocking and unforgettable climax.
The characters in "The Body Lies" are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, each with their own secrets, desires, and vulnerabilities. From the enigmatic and manipulative Nicholas Palmer to the sympathetic and flawed protagonist, every character feels authentic and fully realized. Baker explores the complexities of human relationships with nuance and sensitivity, shining a light on the ways in which trauma and violence can shape and distort our perceptions of ourselves and others.
In addition to its compelling characters and gripping plot, "The Body Lies" raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of storytelling and the power of narrative to shape our understanding of reality. As the protagonist struggles to make sense of her own experiences and navigate the murky waters of truth and fiction, the novel invites readers to consider the ways in which we construct and interpret the stories that shape our lives.
Overall, "The Body Lies" is a haunting and powerful novel that combines elements of psychological suspense, literary fiction, and social commentary to create a gripping and unforgettable reading experience. Jo Baker's masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human psyche make this a must-read for fans of intelligent and thought-provoking thrillers.
secre's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Body Lies is a tense and tightly written novel that crosses psychological thriller, crime fiction and literary fiction and does it very well indeed. It's a slow burn at times, but the build up is well worth it and it doesn't rely on cheap twists to move the narrative forward, instead everything happens organically and flows naturally with what's already been written.
Interestingly, I must have been at least half way through before I realised that the main character is never named. That's the kind of stylistic choice that would normally bug the hell out of me, yet I didn't even notice. Colour me impressed. It's a mark of how much the writing style drew me into the novel.
The slow, creeping sense of dread that infuses the novel is also very well done. It's not a particularly new story, although the use of creative writing students own pieces of fiction woven through the novel was a refreshing element. It is however a very relatable one as our unnamed narrator finds herself on the wrong side of obsessive student. And it's well depicted; in terms of the narrator's reactions and those of the wider society.
All in all, a well written and dark narrative that hangs suspended between several genres. It works.
Interestingly, I must have been at least half way through before I realised that the main character is never named. That's the kind of stylistic choice that would normally bug the hell out of me, yet I didn't even notice. Colour me impressed. It's a mark of how much the writing style drew me into the novel.
The slow, creeping sense of dread that infuses the novel is also very well done. It's not a particularly new story, although the use of creative writing students own pieces of fiction woven through the novel was a refreshing element. It is however a very relatable one as our unnamed narrator finds herself on the wrong side of obsessive student. And it's well depicted; in terms of the narrator's reactions and those of the wider society.
All in all, a well written and dark narrative that hangs suspended between several genres. It works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Rape
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Drug use
juup's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lauzz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
msliz's review
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25