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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
An emotional roller coaster. Even seeing some of the bigger puzzle pieces, with Tana French you want to know the finer details. She pulls you in, makes you care and holds your interest.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read In the Woods sometime ago and have been wanting to revisit French's writing ever since. Despite the low ratings here, I really liked this book. It was also different in that it was a mystery explored through a character study and not the usual detective procedural. Yes, it was a little slow to start, but in the second half it hurtled towards the finale and I couldn't put it down. I think that juxtaposition was deliberate but can see why it might not sit well with all readers. For me, I think it was a case of right time right book and I was okay to meander along with Toby as his life disintegrated around him.
The entire story has a hazy melancholy feel to it and I think part of my enjoyment was the atmospheric nature, in particular the Ivy House. French knows how to get under the skin of her characters and she's not afraid to shy away from the unglamorous realities of life. The novel had a lot of secondary characters, but quite a few were well rounded and interesting. I acknowledge there were some farfetched elements, but somehow they didn't dampen by appreciation of the book as much as I thought it would. A bittersweet character study with a mystery as its catalyst.
The entire story has a hazy melancholy feel to it and I think part of my enjoyment was the atmospheric nature, in particular the Ivy House. French knows how to get under the skin of her characters and she's not afraid to shy away from the unglamorous realities of life. The novel had a lot of secondary characters, but quite a few were well rounded and interesting. I acknowledge there were some farfetched elements
Spoiler
like Toby killing Rafferty in a fist fight
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Fascinating story and enjoyed the deep-dive into Toby's past. I love Tana French's writing as well - great imagery.