Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich

3 reviews

what_is_emma_reading's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

abbeysoffel's review

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Dementia, and Violence

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Suicide

gfalken's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Like many other reviewers note, this is a surprising and pretty well-written debut novel. The narrative structure arcs forwards and backwards in time, taking the POV of major and minor characters (including a dog?). I’d commend the author on the play with chronology. She keeps the reader engaged as the narrative moves forward while revealing an increasingly complex past. 

The second half of the novel, however, really went off the rails, and the ending felt like a scramble towards a known point of resolution. As other reviewers note, the protagonist (Ann) makes a lot of almost illogical and hard-to-believe choices. Perhaps we needed a deeper depiction of her love for her husband, Wade, to really understand her motivations. 

I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for something to entertain and engross you, if you enjoy reading about loyalty, love, and the disintegration and lingering connections of families.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence