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3.06 AVERAGE
3.06 AVERAGE
This is not a psychological thriller like it's saying. It's like a dark psychological study with hint of mystery. Because it's intensely gripping and I really enjoyed it!
HUGE miss for me. The story follows a woman post-breakup. She is angry, hurting and obsessed with a famous actress that lives in her neighborhood. I was expecting a thriller or even a mystery but I really think this book was something else - a mental health character study? Is that a genre? I finished it and liked its rawness but I’m discovering I’m NOT a 100% comfortable with books solely about obsession.
Read if you like: The show YOU on Netflix (probably based on a book) or book by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl)
Read if you like: The show YOU on Netflix (probably based on a book) or book by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl)
Read in prepub. Due out in January.
A just-disturbing-enough tale of a woman whose marriage has fallen apart and whose life is following suit and who avoids dealing with her own issues by obsessing over the famous indie actress who lives on her block. You might think that the uneasiness that the book generates in the reader would be mainly dealing with the obsession, but it is really about sharing the headspace of the disintegrating main character. It is claustrophobic and scary in there. Sims does a great job of building tension. You know from the beginning that something is going to go horribly wrong, you're just not entirely sure what that is until you get there.
Recommended for people who enjoyed The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud or Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller.
A just-disturbing-enough tale of a woman whose marriage has fallen apart and whose life is following suit and who avoids dealing with her own issues by obsessing over the famous indie actress who lives on her block. You might think that the uneasiness that the book generates in the reader would be mainly dealing with the obsession, but it is really about sharing the headspace of the disintegrating main character. It is claustrophobic and scary in there. Sims does a great job of building tension. You know from the beginning that something is going to go horribly wrong, you're just not entirely sure what that is until you get there.
Spoiler
I was very pleased that Sims did not take the expected route of kidnapping or otherwise terrorizing the actress. Those types of stories are never as interesting as those that are more interior and cerebral. Also, I will say that I understand why the author resolved the cat issue the way she did, it just felt so jarring.Recommended for people who enjoyed The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud or Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved this one. Wasnt sure when I started today but read it cover to cover in less than 12 hrs. Not quite what I expected but couldn't put it down.
"Looker: A Novel," by Laura Sims was engaging from page one to the end. This was one of those "I can't put down till I finish it" stories. The book is closer to a novella than a novel as it comes in at 180 plus pages, but it is 180 pages packed full of entertainment.
The story is told in the first person, and much of the story is told in a stream of consciousness mode. The narrator is obviously suffering from mental issues. Her husband has left her, she is insanely jealous of an actress neighbor, whom she stalks, and her life is spiraling down quickly. She carries a great weight at not being able to get pregnant, and is jealous of neighbors who have children. Her issues are mostly of her own making. She is indeed, her own worst enemy.
Unlike some other reviewers, I felt the narrator was in character with some of the crazy things she did, Her character was well developed. My only complaint was the ending. I felt it was too sudden and should have been drawn out a little.
This is not one of those "happily ever after stories," nor should it be. If you are looking for a story where everyone gets back together and forgives each other at the end, this book may not be for you. However, if you enjoy a deep dive into the conscious of someone suffering mentally, you should enjoy this book. I anxiously await Ms. Sims next novel.
The story is told in the first person, and much of the story is told in a stream of consciousness mode. The narrator is obviously suffering from mental issues. Her husband has left her, she is insanely jealous of an actress neighbor, whom she stalks, and her life is spiraling down quickly. She carries a great weight at not being able to get pregnant, and is jealous of neighbors who have children. Her issues are mostly of her own making. She is indeed, her own worst enemy.
Unlike some other reviewers, I felt the narrator was in character with some of the crazy things she did, Her character was well developed. My only complaint was the ending. I felt it was too sudden and should have been drawn out a little.
This is not one of those "happily ever after stories," nor should it be. If you are looking for a story where everyone gets back together and forgives each other at the end, this book may not be for you. However, if you enjoy a deep dive into the conscious of someone suffering mentally, you should enjoy this book. I anxiously await Ms. Sims next novel.
*audio
I didn't know how to shelve this book. It's a little out of my comfort zone, and it's ending is left me feeling flat. It's got some downright outlandish moments that you'll catch yourself either *groaning* or rolling your eyes.
I didn't know how to shelve this book. It's a little out of my comfort zone, and it's ending is left me feeling flat. It's got some downright outlandish moments that you'll catch yourself either *groaning* or rolling your eyes.
dark
tense
fast-paced