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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I've seen a lot of negative reviews of this book online but this, dare I say, is a thought-provoking read (3.5 starts). Very cliche I know but French mixes up a lot of stuff here, family drama with some mystery and thriller thrown in for good measure (the book could have been shortened by a deft editor, I agree). Mostly there's family drama but I did like how the author flipped the script a bit and gave the bad luck to the privileged white guy. I liked the way she got me thinking about how our memories of events can be slanted and one-sided. Lots of books have dealt with this genre of an unreliable narrator but this story takes it to another level. The story we tell ourselves about our 'goodness' or authenticity can be shaky at times, especially if we happen to be a victim of a home invasion and suffer a severe concussion. In the end, I like books that challenge my thinking and get me considering other points of view.
In any case, I enjoyed the book, even though I wasn't 100% happy with the ending and most of the characters were incredibly unlikeable. I suppose it speaks to the talent of the writer to pull that off.
In any case, I enjoyed the book, even though I wasn't 100% happy with the ending and most of the characters were incredibly unlikeable. I suppose it speaks to the talent of the writer to pull that off.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book was really interesting, with a lot of twists and turns. Unfortunately, the middle was little slow and boring.
This was my first Tana French book and it won’t be my last. It’s a dark ride though so be prepared.
dark
sad
slow-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
I enjoy this author, but not this book. The ending was relentlessly hopeless. Just dark and sad.
dark
mysterious
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
4.5, 4.7 stars
I enjoyed reading this book (the romanian translation). The writer did a great job making you want to keep on reading, wanting to elucidate the miatery. After about half, it became a little obvious what really happened and who was the murderer, if you pay close attention, you can find different clues, and I didn't really care for the ending, but it was a nice read.
I enjoyed reading this book (the romanian translation). The writer did a great job making you want to keep on reading, wanting to elucidate the miatery. After about half, it became a little obvious what really happened and who was the murderer, if you pay close attention, you can find different clues, and I didn't really care for the ending, but it was a nice read.
dark
mysterious
slow-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
First of all, I'm very shocked to see the negativity around this book. French's keen and penetrating psychological eye is on fine display here, as is some wonderful descriptive writing. I'd stand by this book and say few other living writers are even capable of that. But anyways...
The Witch Elm begins with “I’ve always considered myself to be, basically, a lucky person." and thus sets off a chain of causality and contingency seldom understood by traditional means and with sinister and shocking ramifications.
The Witch Elm begins with “I’ve always considered myself to be, basically, a lucky person." and thus sets off a chain of causality and contingency seldom understood by traditional means and with sinister and shocking ramifications.