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filipavj's review against another edition
5.0
I always like a book that has the power to transport me to a place where I can get really emotional about the story reported.
I read it very quickly and I feel sorry that there was no more to read despite I know it had to end, and I think it was just the right time, but it's too bad it's over.
Good characters, good and simple plot, very strong theme.
The story is very well told and it has a very simple reading!
The character exchange is great not to tire and get several prisms of the same idea.
Really, really nice book.
I read it very quickly and I feel sorry that there was no more to read despite I know it had to end, and I think it was just the right time, but it's too bad it's over.
Good characters, good and simple plot, very strong theme.
The story is very well told and it has a very simple reading!
The character exchange is great not to tire and get several prisms of the same idea.
Really, really nice book.
enboknagrakopparte's review against another edition
5.0
En ny favoritförfattare efter att nu ha läst två böcker av Emily Gunnis. Jag älskade hennes ”Flickan i brevet” och den här är nog ännu bättre. Det är historisk roman av högsta klass. Den har kärlek, mörker, misär, komplexa familjerelationer och twister. Tårarna kom i slutet. Hon berör.
ellie88's review against another edition
4.0
A couple of years ago I read the debut novel "The Girl in the Letter" by Emily Gunnis and fell in love with the heart-wrenching story and Emily’s writing. So, when she began talking about her second novel on social media I was thrilled and counting down the days until it’s release. Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to get my hands on an e-book copy of it and I was not disappointed; once again Gunnis crafted a wonderful story that is intriguing and captivating.
Switching through points of view and time, this is a complex, endearing, heart wrenching, and extremely well-researched novel. Flipping between post-WWII, 1960, and 2014, it follows a line of women who are doing their best in their given situations and men who have their issues and are seemingly trying to help but tend to fumble it more often than not. The timeframe switches had me confused a bit at first, but once I got a handle on that it wasn’t too bad. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found the plot twists and turns to be fantastic and well thought out.
Given some of the topics covered, I was cautiously optimistic as I went along, but like "The Girl in the Letter", the sheer amount of research that had to have gone into this book was shown through her writing. Not only did Emily tackle the intricacies of familial relationships in a realistic manner, she also tackled mental health issues (specifically postpartum psychosis and the after-effects of war on men; both issues that I have rarely seen written about in detail outside of a non-fiction book) realistically and did so in a way that wasn’t disrespectful or only there to be used as an explanation of why characters do things. Additionally, while I didn’t like all the characters, as more and more about them was revealed, I found them to be well written and thought out and portrayed in a realistically flawed manner that humans are.
If you couldn’t tell, realistic is a word that I feel describes the themes and writing in this book, there was one scene where realism doesn’t quite apply, but other than that I would say it does. The relationships and mirrored commonalities between the women especially were both interesting and gutting to read. I didn't know much about post-partum psychosis before this story, and it’s had me looking it up and reading about just what occurs to women who suffer from it. Once again Emily wrote a story that hits on topics not normally discussed and had me gripped to the last page. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next, I love how she mixes history and truth with fiction and brings to life stories that are enrapturing and educational.
Switching through points of view and time, this is a complex, endearing, heart wrenching, and extremely well-researched novel. Flipping between post-WWII, 1960, and 2014, it follows a line of women who are doing their best in their given situations and men who have their issues and are seemingly trying to help but tend to fumble it more often than not. The timeframe switches had me confused a bit at first, but once I got a handle on that it wasn’t too bad. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found the plot twists and turns to be fantastic and well thought out.
Given some of the topics covered, I was cautiously optimistic as I went along, but like "The Girl in the Letter", the sheer amount of research that had to have gone into this book was shown through her writing. Not only did Emily tackle the intricacies of familial relationships in a realistic manner, she also tackled mental health issues (specifically postpartum psychosis and the after-effects of war on men; both issues that I have rarely seen written about in detail outside of a non-fiction book) realistically and did so in a way that wasn’t disrespectful or only there to be used as an explanation of why characters do things. Additionally, while I didn’t like all the characters, as more and more about them was revealed, I found them to be well written and thought out and portrayed in a realistically flawed manner that humans are.
If you couldn’t tell, realistic is a word that I feel describes the themes and writing in this book, there was one scene where realism doesn’t quite apply, but other than that I would say it does. The relationships and mirrored commonalities between the women especially were both interesting and gutting to read. I didn't know much about post-partum psychosis before this story, and it’s had me looking it up and reading about just what occurs to women who suffer from it. Once again Emily wrote a story that hits on topics not normally discussed and had me gripped to the last page. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next, I love how she mixes history and truth with fiction and brings to life stories that are enrapturing and educational.
annikahelena's review
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beckybooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Purpeural psychosis, neonatal resuscitationleighsnerdlife's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I‘ve previously read and reviewed a book written by Gunnis - and I enjoyed it. So really it’s no surprise that I think The Lost Child is a great read as well.
Gunnis has a real talent for creating character driven, complex, and emotional mysteries that span generations. So, I find that it’s not just the mystery that pulls you in, but also you get quite invested in the people involved in it. I haven’t seen that happen much in the mysteries I’ve read, which is a shame - I really enjoy that extra depth added to the story.
I’m trying to keep this vague, since I really don’t want to give the mystery away - and it’s a doozy. But I can say that once you pick the book up it’s really hard to put down! It’s a moody and sometimes dark read, perfect for the Fall. I’d recommend adding it to your October TBR.
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