Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about how it ended.
Once again, in The Witch Elm, French skillfully explores the intricate relationship dynamics of a close-knit group. She has a remarkable ability to maintain tension through dialogue, even in scenes where characters simply sit and talk. I think that is what keeps me coming back to her books. The Witch Elm opens with the following line: “I've always considered myself, basically, a lucky person.” Toby, the main character, believes he's always lived a pretty lucky life. During the opening scenes, his friends really give him a hard time for always having to so easy. Throuhgout the novel, I found myself questioning whether this percieved luck had more to do with Toby’s naive ignorance or sheer self-absorption. While this isn't my favorite book in Tana French's oeuvre, it’s still very engaging.
Tana French is one of the most talented writers I've ever read in the mystery and detective genre. In this most recent book, she really surpasses the genre entirely, and breaks new ground with a lyrical, heartbreaking and soul-bending literary novel that focuses on one man's gradual descent out of privilege and extreme good luck into the netherworld of uncertain fortunes and dissolution. This is not a story of a person's willful decline -- far from it -- but instead, the battle to retain esteem in a universe where bad luck happens and you have to make up a life out of the remaining scraps. Sure, each of her novels have a death in them, but this novel focuses on character building above all, and brings to the forefront her excellent skill with language, with insight and with skillful observation of human nature. This is, in a word, Tana French's best book, and I would not be surprised at all to see her work in future years held up as examples of leading literature. Jane Austen, after all, wrote romances, while Charles Dickens wrote fabulist fictions.
Tana French writes great novels.
Tana French writes great novels.
if i could kill Toby with my own two hands, i think i'd give my best shot at shoving him down the hollow in the witch elm.
Long, so so long, hence the three stars. French is great at creating a mood, especially of foreboding. Themes of the novel include memory, trauma, and why certain people aren't believed. This novel is best suited for reading during dark, gloomy weather.
I loved this book, there's something about the way Tana French writes teenagers that's enthralling to me. I also wish every man I know would read this book.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
Tana French uses crime/suspense settings to explore the human condition and issues like privilege, identity, memory and meaning. Like all of her books, The Wych Elm is nuanced, layered, textured and beautifully written. If you want a cozy puzzle mystery to while away a winter evening by the fire - murder as light entertainment - look elsewhere.
slow-paced
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
