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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
This review is just so I can remember what I have read when I am ancient. I am so glad I don't read reviews when I choose a book. With no expectations of other Allendes and no expectations of how she 'should' write a crime or suspense novel I really enjoyed this take on the genre. I liked the writing, I liked the characters. Is it comparison that makes others so negative? Oh well. Each to their own. Mine: happiness to have read this.
2024: Real score 8.00. Maybe it’s because I’ve not read another Allende to compare it to; maybe it’s because I probably would enjoy this genre more than I would her traditional genre (although, if there is magic realism, maybe not), but I love this book. I rarely reread mystery, but this is an exception. It’s brilliant. If you’re thinking of reading this and are put off by what you think you know, forget it all, forget the author, just come at the work with an open mind and see how you go. Happiness to have read it again.
2024: Real score 8.00. Maybe it’s because I’ve not read another Allende to compare it to; maybe it’s because I probably would enjoy this genre more than I would her traditional genre (although, if there is magic realism, maybe not), but I love this book. I rarely reread mystery, but this is an exception. It’s brilliant. If you’re thinking of reading this and are put off by what you think you know, forget it all, forget the author, just come at the work with an open mind and see how you go. Happiness to have read it again.
I didn't finish this book--I got halfway through before I stopped. Allende defies writing wisdom by showing as often as she tells, and the effect is that readers get a good sense of interlocking personal relationships and histories that gives a sense of scale to the plot's proceedings. My difficulty with this novel, and ultimately my reason for discontinuing, was because that plot wasn't engaging. Halfway through, a series of murders that I felt little connection to were the only impetus compelling me to turn the page (besides the language, which while often workmanlike, occasionally interesting, wasn't enough for me this time around.) I think Allende's a storyteller who deserves the sales she's had, but this book wasn't for me.
If, in the last two pages of this book, aliens had descended from Mars and obliterated every living thing, I would have given it two stars. Alas, it is not so.
I've heard great things about Allende's other novels, so maybe once I've gotten over the annoyance of wasting time on this one I'll pick another up. But goddamn did this book suck by the end.
I wanted to strangle Indiana myself by the end, and was tempted to make a drinking game out of every time she was described as "sensual" "voluptuous" with "beautiful large breasts hanging out of her tight clothes" but I didn't want alcohol poisoning.
I've heard great things about Allende's other novels, so maybe once I've gotten over the annoyance of wasting time on this one I'll pick another up. But goddamn did this book suck by the end.
I wanted to strangle Indiana myself by the end, and was tempted to make a drinking game out of every time she was described as "sensual" "voluptuous" with "beautiful large breasts hanging out of her tight clothes" but I didn't want alcohol poisoning.
Buen libro. El asesino era el esperado pero la historia alrededor de su vida no me la esperaba.
Me hubiera gustado que el juego en sí hubiera tenido más protagonismo.
Me hubiera gustado que el juego en sí hubiera tenido más protagonismo.
Animal cruelty description.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
This was not a bad read, I just felt like it was long winded and repetitive at times.
This is a four star book because the characters are so well created that you can't HELP but like it. It is a three star book because the damn summary tells you what happens in the end, so that was annoying. But I really liked it.
I have never read anything else by Allende, but I get the feeling that this type of story is not her normal type of genre. I, however, very much, truly enjoyed it!
I have never read anything else by Allende, but I get the feeling that this type of story is not her normal type of genre. I, however, very much, truly enjoyed it!
Disappointing. I love Isabel Allende, and many of the characters were charming, but the plot was all over the place and the book was at least 100 pages too long. Probably would've been better as a short story.
The ending of this book was so terrible it really spoiled the rest of it.
I was listening this on audiobook. I listened a long time...many, many walks. I could not get hooked on a supposed murder mystery...something is wrong. So I'm not going to waste my time; I'm not going to finish the book - something I've only done twice before in my life. This is not the Isabel Allende I'm familiar with, but that's okay. The book is more about the characters and less about the mystery it's purported to be. I really didn't care about the characters, or I might have kept with it. As it is, I'm moving on.