Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
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
This book started well then became bogged down until about one third in. After that, I couldn’t put it down. Feels as though it could have had quite a bit more edited out, but enjoyable all the same.
This is a stand-alone novel from the author of the Dublin Murder Squad books. I have to say that I was bored throughout, because this book has glacial pacing. Our narrator is Toby Hennessy, and he feels like what once upon a time we would have called a yuppie. Something bad happens to him, and to combat this, he moves in with his uncle Hugo who has terminal cancer. Toby grew up in his house with his two cousins Susanna and Leon. But one day, something is found under the wych elm in the garden...
Ugh, I am falling asleep already just typing this. Could have been tense and interesting, but Toby is super navel-gazing, utterly unlikeable, no one is really likeable. I don't usually care, I don't always have to like characters to care about a story. But chapters were super-long, and nothing ever seemed to happen. Would not really recommend. I also grabbed a Dublin Murder Squad book for my to-read pile, and hope that that at least will be better.
Ugh, I am falling asleep already just typing this. Could have been tense and interesting, but Toby is super navel-gazing, utterly unlikeable, no one is really likeable. I don't usually care, I don't always have to like characters to care about a story. But chapters were super-long, and nothing ever seemed to happen. Would not really recommend. I also grabbed a Dublin Murder Squad book for my to-read pile, and hope that that at least will be better.
The Witch Elm ist anders als vorherige Bücher von French und kann nicht ganz mit der Reihe um das Dublin Murder Squad mithalten.
The Witch Elm beginnt mit einer tragischen Nacht für Toby, die Hauptfigur, die ihn dazu bewegt zu seinem Onkel zu ziehen, der erkrankt ist. Und dann wird ein grausiges Familiengeheimnis enthüllt und Toby und seine Familie (vor allem seine Cousins) finden sich im Mittelpunkt von Ermittlungen wieder. Soweit so gut.
Das Buch braucht eine Weile, um in Fahrt zu kommen, wird dann aber vor allem ab Mitte der Geschichte immer spannender und zu einem Pageturner. Einen Zug Abzug gibt es von mir für das Ende, dass dann doch etwas zu viel des Guten ist.
The Witch Elm beginnt mit einer tragischen Nacht für Toby, die Hauptfigur, die ihn dazu bewegt zu seinem Onkel zu ziehen, der erkrankt ist. Und dann wird ein grausiges Familiengeheimnis enthüllt und Toby und seine Familie (vor allem seine Cousins) finden sich im Mittelpunkt von Ermittlungen wieder. Soweit so gut.
Das Buch braucht eine Weile, um in Fahrt zu kommen, wird dann aber vor allem ab Mitte der Geschichte immer spannender und zu einem Pageturner. Einen Zug Abzug gibt es von mir für das Ende, dass dann doch etwas zu viel des Guten ist.
Really excellent book, just a little longer than probably necessary. Love an unreliable narrator but maybe just like 1 too many times of him thinking the wrong thing or going down the wrong rabbit hole.
But the writing was lovely and the story was engrossing. Excellent character development across the board and all very interesting and 3 dimensional characters
The twists weren’t like jaw dropping but I think that helped keep the story grounded and believable
But the writing was lovely and the story was engrossing. Excellent character development across the board and all very interesting and 3 dimensional characters
The twists weren’t like jaw dropping but I think that helped keep the story grounded and believable
As always, Tana French delivers much more than a mystery. An unreliable narrator leads us around twist after turn after twist in this absolutely brilliant novel. French ups the stakes on each mystery we learn about, and the whispers and motives of the supporting characters, by making them the crux of the narrator’s struggle to return to himself after a devastating event. I love the way French’s novels take us along as the crucial moment that defines a character’s life unfolds. This one is no different for being apart from the DMS series. It’s fascinating and terrifying, suspenseful and tragic, hopeful and sad.
This was fine, a good story, but was much longer than I think it needed to be.
The first time I started this book, I wasn’t impressed. I got into the first 50 or so pages then stopped. Honestly when I look at books to check out, half the time I don’t look at what they’re about. I just see “best seller list” and the genre, and if it’s been recommended by an author I like then I typically go for it.
So when I started this book without knowing what it was about, I put it down because the first two chapters were hard to get into - and I wasn’t. After I took the time to read the description, however (like skull in a tree hollow okay I’m in), I decided to give it another chance and I’m SO glad I did. If you can make it through the first little bit, the rest of the book is spectacular. I’m definitely planning on checking out French’s other novels!
So when I started this book without knowing what it was about, I put it down because the first two chapters were hard to get into - and I wasn’t. After I took the time to read the description, however (like skull in a tree hollow okay I’m in), I decided to give it another chance and I’m SO glad I did. If you can make it through the first little bit, the rest of the book is spectacular. I’m definitely planning on checking out French’s other novels!
Unpredictable
Good use of an unreliable narrator. Makes one think about how they perceive themselves, how they truly are, and the unpredictable nature of memory—even before a TBI. Sometimes just thinking you’re a good person isn’t enough.
Good use of an unreliable narrator. Makes one think about how they perceive themselves, how they truly are, and the unpredictable nature of memory—even before a TBI. Sometimes just thinking you’re a good person isn’t enough.