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lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
Although I enjoyed this book (it's a good bet I'll enjoy anything Hayder has written), it didn't grab me like some of her others have. Possibly that's because it felt a little slow to me; I didn't fall completely into it until I was two-thirds through. Or possibly it's because I wanted more of something -- more development of Oaksey, or of his wife, Lexie, or more time spent on the island with the villagers. Something.
What Hayder does get right, as usual, is her narrative structure. Pig Island alternates first person diary/letter-style narratives, one from Oaksey and the second from Lexie (most in the form of letters to her therapist, which are abnormally detailed [including dialogue] than a letter one might write to her therapist, but, whatever, it's a thriller, I don't care). I loved this alternating p.o.v. and it was an interesting way to slow down the pace when the story called for it.
If you read Hayder's Hanging Hill and enjoyed the ending (and maybe yelled at the book at little bit), then read Pig Island. And if you finish Pig Island and really like the ending, read Hanging Hill
What Hayder does get right, as usual, is her narrative structure. Pig Island alternates first person diary/letter-style narratives, one from Oaksey and the second from Lexie (most in the form of letters to her therapist, which are abnormally detailed [including dialogue] than a letter one might write to her therapist, but, whatever, it's a thriller, I don't care). I loved this alternating p.o.v. and it was an interesting way to slow down the pace when the story called for it.
If you read Hayder's Hanging Hill and enjoyed the ending (and maybe yelled at the book at little bit), then read Pig Island. And if you finish Pig Island and really like the ending, read Hanging Hill
sunnyafternoon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
spotnkat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sivanah's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
deblyn's review against another edition
2.0
Started out good and then fizzled. A disappointing ending, although I was surprised by it. Not even scary, a bit odd.
hinzlea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jodicleghorn's review against another edition
2.0
It took me forever to finish this. I found myself wondering where it was going midway and it meandered and doubled back and didn't appear to know which direction it was going.
And then in the middle we get epistolary fiction thrown in, in the guise of Lexie's letters. It felt contrived and as a reader, writer and lover of epistolary fiction found it a weak and lazy effort on the part of the author to get to the other side of the story. It is an element that needed to be introduced in the beginning to have credibility as a literary device.
The ending is the only thing that saved this from a two star rating. Looking back its so very obvious who it was all along.
And then in the middle we get epistolary fiction thrown in, in the guise of Lexie's letters. It felt contrived and as a reader, writer and lover of epistolary fiction found it a weak and lazy effort on the part of the author to get to the other side of the story. It is an element that needed to be introduced in the beginning to have credibility as a literary device.
The ending is the only thing that saved this from a two star rating. Looking back its so very obvious who it was all along.
foofers1622's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A very strange story that comes full circle at the very end. It's not Mo's best but it kept me interested. Steven Crossley did a wonderful job as the narrator as always.
A very strange story that comes full circle at the very end. It's not Mo's best but it kept me interested. Steven Crossley did a wonderful job as the narrator as always.
atlibrarienne's review against another edition
2.0
Read this one shortly after reading The Devil of Nanking, also by Mo Hayder, and wow is there a difference in quality between the two. This was just plain bad. Characters were flat, action was unbelievable and muddily described, the whole thing was pretty ludicrous. Skip this one.
tracyjw66's review against another edition
3.0
Another romp through Mo Hayder's twisted mind. My goodness, this woman is messed up, and I love her for that. The story starts on one disturbing track, and ends up on an entirely different one. I did, however, see the turn coming and although I knew what was happening, I still enjoyed the ride to the end.
I'm not going to say much because Robert might read the book. :-)
I'm not going to say much because Robert might read the book. :-)