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hollidayreadswithme's review against another edition
5.0
“Experience tells me that when you dislike someone on such vague grounds, the problem often rests with you.” Pg 36
This book answers the age-old question of what a father and mother will do for their child in the most horrific circumstances.
Newly minted 18-year-old Stella Sandell is accused of the crime of stabbing 33 year old Christopher Olsen to death with a large knife. Did she do it? What do her parents believe? What do you believe?
I picked up this book because it was all over bookstagram. There wasn’t a whole lot of hype but there was enough that I felt the need to pick it up.
When I finished the book, I was a little underwhelmed. I think that I miscategorized this book as a thriller when in fact, it is a Nordic noir, in the same vein as Dear Mother by Nova Lee Maier. I expected a lot from a book like this because of the differing perspectives and that was a way of telling the story that I had never experienced. In that regard, it did well, I think the way it was structured was masterful, however, the father’s portion was too long (150 pages of the total 389) and I almost DNF’d this title because I was getting increasingly frustrated with him. The mother’s perspective is stuck at the end of the book with just under over 90 pages, not including the epilogue. It didn’t feel very equal.
The book is unique in showing us the same scenes from differing perspectives. It does a lot to open your eyes to the possibilities of the children we raise and how much control we really have on how they turn out. It did so well to define the lines between right and wrong and then completely blur them. Even though I don’t have kids, I could relate to the feeling of failure. Have you ever put some much effort into something and then things not go the way you planned? Have you ever let the silence linger for so long that you don’t remember that there were ever words in the spaces? Thinking that if you don't talk about it, it will just magically get better?
I loved the writing. Honestly, with the exception of the mentions of Swedish cities and handball, you wouldn’t even know it was a translation. The words flowed so well, written with such artistry. There wasn’t a lot of character development of the mother. I left the book wondering what her motivations were. A lot of the characters outside of the three perspectives were casualties of the narrative. However, that is part of the whole point, the thought that nothing else is more important than the problem that they are facing at that moment.
The last 90 pages felt rushed. The pacing of the story picked up so much that I completely skipped over the verdict because I didn’t know what was going on. It reverted back and forth from flashbacks to the present, while granted they were separated by chapters, it still didn’t feel like a cohesive story.
With all of that in mind, do I should you pick up this book?
Absolutely.
Even though this is M.T. Edvardsson’s first US release (not his first novel), he brings a new voice and challenges us to look inside ourselves with a universal question and real characters to relate to, not typically found in today’s fiction.
I will be picking up anything he decides to write in the future.
4.5 stars.
This book answers the age-old question of what a father and mother will do for their child in the most horrific circumstances.
Newly minted 18-year-old Stella Sandell is accused of the crime of stabbing 33 year old Christopher Olsen to death with a large knife. Did she do it? What do her parents believe? What do you believe?
I picked up this book because it was all over bookstagram. There wasn’t a whole lot of hype but there was enough that I felt the need to pick it up.
When I finished the book, I was a little underwhelmed. I think that I miscategorized this book as a thriller when in fact, it is a Nordic noir, in the same vein as Dear Mother by Nova Lee Maier. I expected a lot from a book like this because of the differing perspectives and that was a way of telling the story that I had never experienced. In that regard, it did well, I think the way it was structured was masterful, however, the father’s portion was too long (150 pages of the total 389) and I almost DNF’d this title because I was getting increasingly frustrated with him. The mother’s perspective is stuck at the end of the book with just under over 90 pages, not including the epilogue. It didn’t feel very equal.
The book is unique in showing us the same scenes from differing perspectives. It does a lot to open your eyes to the possibilities of the children we raise and how much control we really have on how they turn out. It did so well to define the lines between right and wrong and then completely blur them. Even though I don’t have kids, I could relate to the feeling of failure. Have you ever put some much effort into something and then things not go the way you planned? Have you ever let the silence linger for so long that you don’t remember that there were ever words in the spaces? Thinking that if you don't talk about it, it will just magically get better?
I loved the writing. Honestly, with the exception of the mentions of Swedish cities and handball, you wouldn’t even know it was a translation. The words flowed so well, written with such artistry. There wasn’t a lot of character development of the mother. I left the book wondering what her motivations were. A lot of the characters outside of the three perspectives were casualties of the narrative. However, that is part of the whole point, the thought that nothing else is more important than the problem that they are facing at that moment.
The last 90 pages felt rushed. The pacing of the story picked up so much that I completely skipped over the verdict because I didn’t know what was going on. It reverted back and forth from flashbacks to the present, while granted they were separated by chapters, it still didn’t feel like a cohesive story.
With all of that in mind, do I should you pick up this book?
Absolutely.
Even though this is M.T. Edvardsson’s first US release (not his first novel), he brings a new voice and challenges us to look inside ourselves with a universal question and real characters to relate to, not typically found in today’s fiction.
I will be picking up anything he decides to write in the future.
4.5 stars.
cnorris235's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stella is 18 years old and accused of brutally murdering someone. Her dad's a pastor and her mom's a well known lawyer. She's been known to make rash decisions and be hard to handle at times, but did she do it?
This thriller is based in Sweden which was really interesting! The each part of the book is told from a different POV, it starts with the father, then Stella, and ends with the mother. I liked it wasn't constantly jumping back and forth between different POV and you knew who's perspective it was. The chapters were very short and often left with the reader wanting to continue on. The end wasn't overly surprising to me.
This thriller is based in Sweden which was really interesting! The each part of the book is told from a different POV, it starts with the father, then Stella, and ends with the mother. I liked it wasn't constantly jumping back and forth between different POV and you knew who's perspective it was. The chapters were very short and often left with the reader wanting to continue on. The end wasn't overly surprising to me.
innnne's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mamccrea's review against another edition
5.0
A nail biter, my theory was constantly changing. Unreliable narrators and secrets leave you dying to find the truth.
erjail's review against another edition
Realised I have watched a TV adaption of it.
litwithleigh's review against another edition
4.0
Bookoutlet read #10 (I think?) 3.5 rounded up.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: 3.5/5
THE PLOT
Stella is on trial for murdering a 35-year-old businessman. Told in three parts, from her father's POV (Adam), Stella's, and her mother's (Urlicka), this novel explores family relationships, friendships, and the consequences of keeping secrets.
MY OPINION
Tbh when I was reading this I was like wow 5 stars, and then I got to the mom's pov and was like ok maybe 4, but then after I reflected on this I was like nah 3.5. I had some questions.
FYI Edvardsson's writing is typical scandi style, so if you don't like that, pass on this one. Evidently, I enjoy this particular writing style (I still can't describe it... kind of monotone but there's a certain rhythm to it).
Anyways. The characters were kinda unlikeable, but this was done by design so c'est la vie. At first I wanted to fight Adam (the father) for being so self-absorbed, but he redeemed himself when he crossed several boundaries trying to help Stella. Then I wanted to fight Amina because she's a jealous snitch. Lastly, I wanted to stiff arm Chris Olsen into another universe for being a MEGA creep preying on young girls because he's a loser.
Now I think this book would've been a strong 4 stars if Amina's POV was included. All my questions were about Amina. Why was Stella so attached to her? Why did she feel so responsible for a friend who clearly lied multiple times out of jealousy? Why did Amina even lie to Stella? Did Amina lie about The Big Event? I needed to understand her perspective because she was at the centre of all Stella's conflicts and seemed like a big sneaky snake to me.
Also the mom's POV was mad repetitive. Either shit yourself because of nerves or get it tf together lmao.
Final thoughts: I read this during my 29-hour power outage and I was hooked the entire time but when I sat back and really thought about it, there were too many questions left for me.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: love that Scandi style writing, interesting reading about a religious MC grappling with the truth, Stella's tete a tete with her dad was insightful, Chris died
Cons: too many unanswered questions re: Amina
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: 3.5/5
THE PLOT
Stella is on trial for murdering a 35-year-old businessman. Told in three parts, from her father's POV (Adam), Stella's, and her mother's (Urlicka), this novel explores family relationships, friendships, and the consequences of keeping secrets.
MY OPINION
Tbh when I was reading this I was like wow 5 stars, and then I got to the mom's pov and was like ok maybe 4, but then after I reflected on this I was like nah 3.5. I had some questions.
FYI Edvardsson's writing is typical scandi style, so if you don't like that, pass on this one. Evidently, I enjoy this particular writing style (I still can't describe it... kind of monotone but there's a certain rhythm to it).
Anyways. The characters were kinda unlikeable, but this was done by design so c'est la vie. At first I wanted to fight Adam (the father) for being so self-absorbed, but he redeemed himself when he crossed several boundaries trying to help Stella. Then I wanted to fight Amina because she's a jealous snitch. Lastly, I wanted to stiff arm Chris Olsen into another universe for being a MEGA creep preying on young girls because he's a loser.
Now I think this book would've been a strong 4 stars if Amina's POV was included. All my questions were about Amina. Why was Stella so attached to her? Why did she feel so responsible for a friend who clearly lied multiple times out of jealousy? Why did Amina even lie to Stella? Did Amina lie about The Big Event? I needed to understand her perspective because she was at the centre of all Stella's conflicts and seemed like a big sneaky snake to me.
Also the mom's POV was mad repetitive. Either shit yourself because of nerves or get it tf together lmao.
Final thoughts: I read this during my 29-hour power outage and I was hooked the entire time but when I sat back and really thought about it, there were too many questions left for me.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: love that Scandi style writing, interesting reading about a religious MC grappling with the truth, Stella's tete a tete with her dad was insightful, Chris died
Cons: too many unanswered questions re: Amina
jfizzle80's review against another edition
4.0
captivating prose that holds reader’s attention until the end
namitakhanna's review against another edition
4.0
Stella is an eighteen-year-old daughter of a pastor and a lawyer who is being accused of murdering her older boyfriend. This story is told from the POV’s of both the parents and Stella where they discover how far one would go to protect their family
A Near Normal Family is slow building psychological thriller filled with courtroom drama. A little slow and repetitive at times the end was suspenseful enough to redeem it for me. Overall 3 ½ stars
I would like to thank Celadon Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
A Near Normal Family is slow building psychological thriller filled with courtroom drama. A little slow and repetitive at times the end was suspenseful enough to redeem it for me. Overall 3 ½ stars
I would like to thank Celadon Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
lillyvannilly's review against another edition
4.0
“A Nearly Normal Family” follows 18 year old Stella, recently done high school and ready for the real world. What she isn’t ready for is to go to jail for murder. Told in three point of views, “A Nearly Normal Family” will make you question as a reader whether or not Stella is guilty as you put together the evidence and the events that lead up to the murder. This was a 4⭐️ read for me, that had me guessing until the very last sentence.