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gwimo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zineameen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.0
valeefree_'s review against another edition
3.0
Un po' troppo dialogico per i miei gusti, ma dopo qualche pagina ci si abitua.
Non so se provare disgusto o compassione per Lamb, in fin dei conti mi sembra un uomo fragile. Tommie, invece, non posso fare altro che guardarla come un bambina innocente che non comprende ciò che sta accadendo e che si ritrova ad assecondare le parole di Lamb come una bambola.
Forse di vittime ce ne sono due: Tommie di Lamb, Lamb di sé stesso.
Non so se provare disgusto o compassione per Lamb, in fin dei conti mi sembra un uomo fragile. Tommie, invece, non posso fare altro che guardarla come un bambina innocente che non comprende ciò che sta accadendo e che si ritrova ad assecondare le parole di Lamb come una bambola.
Forse di vittime ce ne sono due: Tommie di Lamb, Lamb di sé stesso.
mmc6661's review against another edition
4.0
this was just a really compelling and bizarre book. I found myself not wanting to put it down. The story of a middle aged man who befriends a young awkward girl and takes her away on a trip to his cabin in the Rockies, basically kidnaps her without a fight. I'm not sure whether I enjoyed this story or was just waiting for the crash when it all came falling down. Then it ended...
cazinthehat's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so beautifully written and the descriptive passages of the beautiful American scenery are utterly wonderful ... it makes me feel weird that I almost routed for the characters by the end... Read it.
sarah_mcmullan_nz's review against another edition
3.0
Strange & unsettling
A strange and unsettling read, I never fully felt comfortable with David as a character - or maybe just David around Tommie.
At the same time,I could see how her trust in him grew roots and established itself, even though she was not stupid, but still very unwise in the ways of the world.
I remember that innocent belief that if someone treated you like an adult they would not take advantage of you as a child - it's a dangerous idea so often fed to girls who aren't typically pretty. A precursor to the "he loves me for my personality" doctrine of being ignored for more attractive options, it suggests that a young woman's mind is valued above all things when to a certain subset of men, it's because they see it as a weakness to exploit and manipulate.
Is David a predator? I say yes. Does he mean to be? Maybe not - but he is. And he has form, a pattern and a skill for it. Money makes it easier but sad childhood stories don't excuse it.
I have no doubt that in 15 years Tommie will look back at their trip as a time of trauma and lifelong repercussions while David stares down 70, clinging to idealised memories of a beautiful fictionalised nymphet of his dreams.
Not a book for everyone.
A strange and unsettling read, I never fully felt comfortable with David as a character - or maybe just David around Tommie.
At the same time,I could see how her trust in him grew roots and established itself, even though she was not stupid, but still very unwise in the ways of the world.
I remember that innocent belief that if someone treated you like an adult they would not take advantage of you as a child - it's a dangerous idea so often fed to girls who aren't typically pretty. A precursor to the "he loves me for my personality" doctrine of being ignored for more attractive options, it suggests that a young woman's mind is valued above all things when to a certain subset of men, it's because they see it as a weakness to exploit and manipulate.
Is David a predator? I say yes. Does he mean to be? Maybe not - but he is. And he has form, a pattern and a skill for it. Money makes it easier but sad childhood stories don't excuse it.
I have no doubt that in 15 years Tommie will look back at their trip as a time of trauma and lifelong repercussions while David stares down 70, clinging to idealised memories of a beautiful fictionalised nymphet of his dreams.
Not a book for everyone.
kathleenww's review against another edition
2.0
Review for Amazon Vine/advanced reader copy
Primarily, I'd like to say that Ms. Nadzam is a very accomplished writer, and I did love her prose in this first novel. It was truly gorgeous, I LOVED the writing. That being said, I found the content of the book, the story line, to be so disturbing to me personally, that is was quite painful for me to read.
The protagonist of the novel, David Lamb, is a middle aged man going through a major midlife crisis. We meet him when he is dealing with the passing of his father, and we get the impression they have never been close. We also learn that his wife has left him and he's been having an affair with a very young woman who works in his office. he is a pathological liar, not ever telling anyone in his life the whole truth babout his current living arrangements. He lies to his co-workers and friends, and he lies to this girl friend, who is obviously obsessed with being with him, and he lies to himself.
He meets and scares and ultimately kidnaps young Tommie, convincing her and himself that she is "running away," takes her away to his father's property which he has inherited out West, in a very isolated area.
Creepy. I just felt creeped out while reading this book. The writing is AMAZING but the subject matter, presenting the ultimate victim of Stockholm Syndrome in this eleven year old lonely girl being manipulated by this narcissistic, older man just really disturbed me. I chose to read this because it was being raved about here and there, but I try not to read any in depth reviews before I read a book I am going to be reviewing, but in this case, I really wish I had. I don't know if it is possible to "regret" reading a book, but I do regret this one, since the character of David Lamb will haunt me with his soulless-ness for a long time. The only good thing is that I might read another book by this very talented writer, but I will definitely check on the story matter first. Not for everyone.
Primarily, I'd like to say that Ms. Nadzam is a very accomplished writer, and I did love her prose in this first novel. It was truly gorgeous, I LOVED the writing. That being said, I found the content of the book, the story line, to be so disturbing to me personally, that is was quite painful for me to read.
The protagonist of the novel, David Lamb, is a middle aged man going through a major midlife crisis. We meet him when he is dealing with the passing of his father, and we get the impression they have never been close. We also learn that his wife has left him and he's been having an affair with a very young woman who works in his office. he is a pathological liar, not ever telling anyone in his life the whole truth babout his current living arrangements. He lies to his co-workers and friends, and he lies to this girl friend, who is obviously obsessed with being with him, and he lies to himself.
He meets and scares and ultimately kidnaps young Tommie, convincing her and himself that she is "running away," takes her away to his father's property which he has inherited out West, in a very isolated area.
Creepy. I just felt creeped out while reading this book. The writing is AMAZING but the subject matter, presenting the ultimate victim of Stockholm Syndrome in this eleven year old lonely girl being manipulated by this narcissistic, older man just really disturbed me. I chose to read this because it was being raved about here and there, but I try not to read any in depth reviews before I read a book I am going to be reviewing, but in this case, I really wish I had. I don't know if it is possible to "regret" reading a book, but I do regret this one, since the character of David Lamb will haunt me with his soulless-ness for a long time. The only good thing is that I might read another book by this very talented writer, but I will definitely check on the story matter first. Not for everyone.
pjvana's review against another edition
4.0
The most uncomfortable book I've ever read. Beautiful writing- bizarre story. Don't bother looking for answers here. This is all problems and no answers. The development of the main character is brilliant and haunting. I'm not sure if I liked the ending as it was very abrupt. It's worth the read, for sure.