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gracemcginnis's review
fast-paced
With endorsements from Sally Rooney and Brandon Taylor on the cover, I really expected more. Classically Irish in its faint existentialism and rural backdrop. Ultimately, i think I just wanted more of Nicky and perhaps less of Dev.
adam_penny's review
challenging
dark
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
3.5
leecrutchley's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
takecoverbooksptbo's review
emotional
funny
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Colin Barrett isn't reinventing the Irish Crime Novel in any major way, but this is a worthy entry into the genre's annals. Taking place in the Irish town of Ballina during the course of one festival weekend, the story itself traces the margins of the city's festivities. The characters are largely unremarkable: a reclusive high-school dropout living in his dead mother's house, small-time drug-dealer brothers who invade the drop-out's house with an unwanted guest, a teenage bartender whose boyfriend is missing, and mothers and fathers living, dead, and mentally ill. The devil is in the details, though, and Barrett gives the characters populating Wild Houses so much humanity and pathos that you can't help but empathize with their disaster-skirting lives.
The plot itself hangs upon coincidence, like all good melodrama. However, the narrative cleverly uses these plot contrivances to show the imprisoning atmosphere of living your whole life in a small town. Everyone is known, yet no one is known well. As the climax approaches, the minor tragedies of everyone we've met start to take on greater significance in the face of the uncaring world's ability to go on without them.
This was such a pleasant surprise. I would definitely recommend picking it up if you have a chance, this is likely to be a sleeper hit at the end of the year.
The plot itself hangs upon coincidence, like all good melodrama. However, the narrative cleverly uses these plot contrivances to show the imprisoning atmosphere of living your whole life in a small town. Everyone is known, yet no one is known well. As the climax approaches, the minor tragedies of everyone we've met start to take on greater significance in the face of the uncaring world's ability to go on without them.
This was such a pleasant surprise. I would definitely recommend picking it up if you have a chance, this is likely to be a sleeper hit at the end of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Drug use, and Drug abuse
whamydid's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
kevinm55's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jamesgoodwin1982's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.25
I found this book slow to start but by about the halfway point I really started to get into the story. By the end I came away having really enjoyed the central story. I did find on times the book did stray from the main plot which was a bit distracting for such a short book, it meant that on times the main story (which was very good!) got lost.
Overall, one I'd recommend.
Overall, one I'd recommend.
magdabirkmann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
sarabook's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer
lisainbookland's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a really unusual book that focused on a group of teenagers involved in small town drug-related kidnapping. I really loved the characters and the writing style, it’s just a short little book. I’d definitely read more by this author!