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gripyfish's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
2.0
indoorg1rl's review against another edition
4.0
Joni Ackerman’s decision to raise children, 25 years ago, came with a steep cost. She was then a pioneering filmmaker, one of the few women to break into the all-male Hollywood club of feature film directors, but she left all those behind. Amidst a major scandal rocking the film industry, Joni revisited a secret from long ago involving her friend Val. As her marriage frayed and the feeling of isolation deepened, Joni took solace in the novels of Patricia Highsmith—particularly the masterpiece Strangers on a Train—until the lines between reality and fantasy blurred.
This relatively short story packed a punch. I think listening to this as an audiobook, I got the best experience out of it. The storytelling style was mostly Joni’s internal monologues of her perceptions of things, which beautifully took me into her state of mind.
Joni’s experience with motherhood and loneliness rang true, and I appreciated the social commentaries throughout the book about society expectations of being a woman. I loved the backdrop setting of me-too movement in this literary thriller, and it was somewhat satisfying to see the guilty parties starting to worry about their turns to get exposed!
All in all, a great, enjoyable one. This book even managed to sneak a plot twist on me that made me gasp. This sub-genre just keeps getting better over time!
(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
nnnghhh's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Murder, and Child death
lizberliant's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bethany6788's review against another edition
This was a DNF for me. I think the premise is good, but the execution needed work. I wasn’t bought in right away and it’s like my ears were clogged when attempting to listen. It’s unfortunate because this is a timely, relevant topic. It just did not land the way it should.
swestlake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
taylorziegler's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannahh_330's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Your single aunt LOVES this book
claudiaslibrarycard's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Invisible Woman is a #MeToo era book focusing on an older female protagonist who has been keeping a dark secret for decades. Thrown out of the entertainment industry after barely starting, Joni Ackerman has remained adjacent to the industry through her famous husband. After raising a family for many years, they have just left California for Brooklyn and a scandal is hitting the entertainment industry. And of course, it's connected to the secret Joni has been keeping.
This book moves quickly if predictably and I enjoyed the even pacing and the fresh and rare perspective of an older woman. If you liked Thursday Murder Club and enjoy feminist fiction, I think this is one to pick up!
This book moves quickly if predictably and I enjoyed the even pacing and the fresh and rare perspective of an older woman. If you liked Thursday Murder Club and enjoy feminist fiction, I think this is one to pick up!