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lilays43's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
ashleysnerdyworld's review against another edition
5.0
I still love this book if you love the gypsy Rose story you will love this book
thereadingscoop's review against another edition
I realized I didn’t really care about the characters. It was hard to get into and just couldn’t finish.
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
(Note: Believe it or not, I had never even heard of the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case before writing this review. Reading other GR reviews of this book brought it to my attention. So my review is based purely on my seeing this book as a work of fiction.)
My overall response to this book was rather tepid. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either. This may be because, although I thought the author did a pretty good job handling her characters' psychology, the out-there premise gave the book a soap opera-esque feel. Part of my challenge with finding good thrillers is my preference is for something that feels more grounded, or if it's over-the-top, it has to be a certain kind of over-the-top (closed environment books always work better for me in this respect). Unfortunately for me--but fortunately for readers who prefer these books--the thriller genre is one that seems to have trended toward the big, dramatic concept. Some spoilers ahead.
I think what also bothers me is I'm sensing a certain same-ness to a lot of the thrillers I read these days. There's an overabundance of female characters who have this weird sense of something like entitlement. It's not hard to imagine how going through what Rose Gold went through would screw someone up big time, but I kept wondering why Rose Gold felt entitled to the things she felt entitled to. Characters like Rose Gold make these hugely flawed leaps in logic, thinking that their wish for love or comfort or wealth or whatever means other people owe them things. It's like they go from 0 to 60 without ever hitting 30. When I can't understand why a character thinks they deserve something, it's really hard for me to feel invested in them.
I think my other problem with books like these is that the female characters' sense of what punishment fits the crime is also so over the top. I completely get why Rose Gold might want revenge on her mother, but the extremes she goes to when it comes to her father were harder for me to parse. There's a lack of subtlety there that either feels like rushed writing or bad writing, neither of which are a good thing.
My overall response to this book was rather tepid. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either. This may be because, although I thought the author did a pretty good job handling her characters' psychology, the out-there premise gave the book a soap opera-esque feel. Part of my challenge with finding good thrillers is my preference is for something that feels more grounded, or if it's over-the-top, it has to be a certain kind of over-the-top (closed environment books always work better for me in this respect). Unfortunately for me--but fortunately for readers who prefer these books--the thriller genre is one that seems to have trended toward the big, dramatic concept. Some spoilers ahead.
I think what also bothers me is I'm sensing a certain same-ness to a lot of the thrillers I read these days. There's an overabundance of female characters who have this weird sense of something like entitlement. It's not hard to imagine how going through what Rose Gold went through would screw someone up big time, but I kept wondering why Rose Gold felt entitled to the things she felt entitled to. Characters like Rose Gold make these hugely flawed leaps in logic, thinking that their wish for love or comfort or wealth or whatever means other people owe them things. It's like they go from 0 to 60 without ever hitting 30. When I can't understand why a character thinks they deserve something, it's really hard for me to feel invested in them.
I think my other problem with books like these is that the female characters' sense of what punishment fits the crime is also so over the top. I completely get why Rose Gold might want revenge on her mother, but the extremes she goes to when it comes to her father were harder for me to parse. There's a lack of subtlety there that either feels like rushed writing or bad writing, neither of which are a good thing.
actuallyitsmary's review against another edition
3.0
The twists were unexpected, especially the end with Rosegold’s dad and stuff. It was a really good read aloud book and got the whole class revved up, which was super fun. The author wrote Rosegold and Patty really well to where you kind of end up liking them at least a little bit, even though they’re clearly insane.
noodlerabbit88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
butterreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a good deal, didnt see the end coming.
meghan_plethoraofpages's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely don’t judge this book by its sweet looking cover. This is one creepy, messed up psychological thriller that is highly entertaining (and gut twisting) to read. With multiple points of view and flashbacks, the book is narrated by both mother, Patty, and daughter, Rose Gold.
Patty has been imprisoned for aggravated child abuse throughout Rose Gold’s childhood. In a “Munchausen disorder by proxy” situation, it is alleged that Patty is responsible for her daughter’s lifetime of illnesses - rendering her wheelchair dependent with a feeding tube without having an actual diagnosis.
After 5 years in jail, Patty is being released, and Rose Gold has agreed to pick her up. Is revenge or forgiveness going to colour their new relationship?
Patty and Rose Gold are fascinating characters. Their motivations and actions are slowly revealed, in such a twisty, thoughtful way that kept me guessing most of the way through. The writing is clear, and the author has a lot of skill in eliciting different emotions. I felt sickness, rage, embarrassment, warmth. It’s a rollercoaster as we are taken from present to past and to present again.
This is an impressive debut. I think this will likely be a very popular novel, and despite its macabre tone and mind-boggling manipulation by both mother & daughter, it’s an easy read, with deeply unsettling characters.
My main complaint is that some details sound similar to a few real-life cases, and there’s no acknowledgement of such anywhere in the author’s notes. When you’ve heard of these tragic real-life cases the story doesn’t sound quite as fresh and original.
I will definitely look out for future works from Stephanie Wrobel! 4⭐️
Thank you so much to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for free access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Patty has been imprisoned for aggravated child abuse throughout Rose Gold’s childhood. In a “Munchausen disorder by proxy” situation, it is alleged that Patty is responsible for her daughter’s lifetime of illnesses - rendering her wheelchair dependent with a feeding tube without having an actual diagnosis.
After 5 years in jail, Patty is being released, and Rose Gold has agreed to pick her up. Is revenge or forgiveness going to colour their new relationship?
Patty and Rose Gold are fascinating characters. Their motivations and actions are slowly revealed, in such a twisty, thoughtful way that kept me guessing most of the way through. The writing is clear, and the author has a lot of skill in eliciting different emotions. I felt sickness, rage, embarrassment, warmth. It’s a rollercoaster as we are taken from present to past and to present again.
This is an impressive debut. I think this will likely be a very popular novel, and despite its macabre tone and mind-boggling manipulation by both mother & daughter, it’s an easy read, with deeply unsettling characters.
My main complaint is that some details sound similar to a few real-life cases, and there’s no acknowledgement of such anywhere in the author’s notes. When you’ve heard of these tragic real-life cases the story doesn’t sound quite as fresh and original.
I will definitely look out for future works from Stephanie Wrobel! 4⭐️
Thank you so much to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for free access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.