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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throws of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept.
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The above synopsis is straight from the back cover of the book. It is also the exact storyline, leaving no surprises whatsoever. This story could have been told in 100 pages or less but was drawn out with unnecessary details and too much imagery. I only finished it because I was waiting for something new. Very disappointed in this read.
2/5⭐️
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The above synopsis is straight from the back cover of the book. It is also the exact storyline, leaving no surprises whatsoever. This story could have been told in 100 pages or less but was drawn out with unnecessary details and too much imagery. I only finished it because I was waiting for something new. Very disappointed in this read.
2/5⭐️
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a fan of the writing and I definitely wouldn't call this chilling.
Hard to enjoy a book when you dislike every character. Slow and uneventful read.
dark
medium-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
There has been a lot in the "book media" that has drawn similarities between this book and Gone Girl. Sure, there are some parts of the story that are alike-- marriage in trouble and murder-- but to be honest I found these books to be quite different. Flynn's story-telling is frenetic, bordering on the edge of spiraling out of control, much like the lives and minds of her infamously hated characters. Harrison's tale is measured and cool, in the way I imagine the protagonists' water-front condo and Jody and Todd themselves. There are a few moments where Todd seems hurtling toward some sort of animalistic desire, rage, or feeling, but he always pulls up short, enters a hotel bar, and sips away at a beer in a frosty pint. Jody, too, is controlled and perfunctory, never revealing any sort of Id simmering just below the surface (which is probably fitting given Jody's disdain for Freud and her whole-hearted embrace of Adler Psychological methods).
I will say that I didn't necessarily see the ending coming, which is a good thing. While I enjoyed the book on many levels, the aloofness of it all left me feeling a little empty, whereas Flynn's Gone Girl ignited something in me bordering on fervor.
I will say that I didn't necessarily see the ending coming, which is a good thing. While I enjoyed the book on many levels, the aloofness of it all left me feeling a little empty, whereas Flynn's Gone Girl ignited something in me bordering on fervor.
SO MANY UNNECESSARY DETAILS! This is the book for you if you want to hear minute details of the characters lives, like exactly what they are wearing and what they ate, in GREAT detail, for each and every meal. Also if you care about the psychoanalyses of the main character's relationship with her brothers in childhood, that seemingly has nothing to do with the story at hand, then you will love this book. I've seen it compared to Gone Girl. No, not even close. Both husband and wife in this story as well as every other character seem to be complete idiots who don't live in reality. I finished this because I was too far in to stop. Don't waste your time.
This summer's Gone Girl only if, by that, you mean it's this summer's quick read about a highly dysfunctional relationship. In some ways it was better than Gone Girl...I didn't want everyone to die in a fiery asteroid impact...but I also was able to easily predict the ending. (At least with GG the ending was so outrageous that I couldn't have guessed it. I usually know what's going to happen in books like this, though, so that doesn't really factor into my rating.) it wasn't much of a thriller though...and was perhaps too quick a read...I don't think it took me more than 3.5-4 hours to read.
3.5 stars from me. Good...not great. NOT Gone Girl!