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teatimewithliam's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
2.75
Consider me....uncomfortable.
The novel follows the titular character of Mike Engleby - but let's just call him Joe Goldberg since the creepy 'You' protagonist is who I was picturing the entire novel. This should give you a good idea of the kind of man we're dealing with here - speaks very little but revels in his own internal monologue. Admittedly, some of his observations about the world early-on (before I realised he's a creep) are amusingly cutting but everything is overriden by just how predatory he becomes - especially around women. He follows women to their homes, steals their personal possessions and then wonders why he gets interrogated by the police when one such woman, Jennifer, goes missing (again, think of Beck in the first season of You). This is a woman that Mike was obsessed with and, as is an alarmingly common trait amongst men, felt entitled to her as result. He would describe himself as her friend, and even once her boyfriend, when she barely saw him as an acquaintance. It became clear very early on that he had something to do with her disappearance. However, Mike is the epitome of the unreliable narrator - he'll omit revealing details and hide memories both from the reader and, occasionally, himself. Don't be taken in by anything he says as most of the events of the book are seen through his own narcisstic lens.
This book was recommended to me as dark academia but this is not what I've found - instead it's a rather disturbing peak into the male psyche. Mike claims to prefer solitude but lurks on the fringes of groups, inserting himself into peoples' lives and giving himself more significance than he warrants. So much of his internal monologue was relentless arrogant, misogynistic drudgery (but you could tell he thought otherwise) - if the book had been any longer I would have given up. This is not a comment on the writing - just on the protagonist being insufferable.
I should have twigged he's a red flag when he threw out an unopened pack of biscuits
The novel follows the titular character of Mike Engleby - but let's just call him Joe Goldberg since the creepy 'You' protagonist is who I was picturing the entire novel. This should give you a good idea of the kind of man we're dealing with here - speaks very little but revels in his own internal monologue. Admittedly, some of his observations about the world early-on (before I realised he's a creep) are amusingly cutting but everything is overriden by just how predatory he becomes - especially around women. He follows women to their homes, steals their personal possessions and then wonders why he gets interrogated by the police when one such woman, Jennifer, goes missing (again, think of Beck in the first season of You). This is a woman that Mike was obsessed with and, as is an alarmingly common trait amongst men, felt entitled to her as result. He would describe himself as her friend, and even once her boyfriend, when she barely saw him as an acquaintance. It became clear very early on that he had something to do with her disappearance. However, Mike is the epitome of the unreliable narrator - he'll omit revealing details and hide memories both from the reader and, occasionally, himself. Don't be taken in by anything he says as most of the events of the book are seen through his own narcisstic lens.
This book was recommended to me as dark academia but this is not what I've found - instead it's a rather disturbing peak into the male psyche. Mike claims to prefer solitude but lurks on the fringes of groups, inserting himself into peoples' lives and giving himself more significance than he warrants. So much of his internal monologue was relentless arrogant, misogynistic drudgery (but you could tell he thought otherwise) - if the book had been any longer I would have given up. This is not a comment on the writing - just on the protagonist being insufferable.
I should have twigged he's a red flag when he threw out an unopened pack of biscuits
danielden's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
elliehamilton38's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
flomc's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ambience's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
catump's review against another edition
1.0
Considering this novel involves University life, has a mystery/thriller aspect and is written by the author of Birdsong, it's a bit of a disappointment. I can't say too much without revealing spoilers-although saying that the plot and the narrator is fairly predictable (given the synopsis on the back cover). Mike reminded me of the narrator in the Wasp Factory-an equally odd and unlikable individual. Although I find having an unlikable protagonist an obstacle to enjoying a book, it's not impossible-The Collector was more interesting than Engleby and the narrator in that isn't likely to become your best friend, unless you're Ted Bundy. It's obviously well written and Mike's philosophical meanderings are probably quite interesting if you're reading the book for an essay or a book club, but for a simple, enjoyable read-skip it.
prestonj662's review against another edition
3.0
I did not know beforehand what this book was going to be about. I had really enjoyed Birdsong which I read many years ago and I understood from the cover that this was to be something different. However, I struggled with it - it just felt so depressing to read! I wonder whether if the story had been real and had taken place in the current day there would be different outcomes...
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
Ikeas intrigued by the premise but wasn't able to get invested in the audiobook. Didn't find the story or characters very engaging at all
eml28's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Totally not what I expected from Faulks (I've only ever read Birdsong) or from the blurb but my god so much better.
I love the whole premise of the 'unreliable narrator' in literature. I thought I'd sussed oit what had happened between Engleby and Jennifer though, UNTIL that very last diary entry. Now going to spend all night googling and reading reviews to see what people think actually happened. LOVED IT.
I love the whole premise of the 'unreliable narrator' in literature. I thought I'd sussed oit what had happened between Engleby and Jennifer though, UNTIL that very last diary entry. Now going to spend all night googling and reading reviews to see what people think actually happened. LOVED IT.