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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I read this through to the end because the writing and the story was good, but the only characters you will like at all are the kids. Every adult in this novel about arrogance and narcissism is disgusting. Not one is at all mature. Maybe it's a cultural thing, this being a European import, set in the Netherlands.
But the writing was excellent, especially the protagonist's descriptions of medical conditions, in very picturesque analogies. I liked that a lot.
Koch's The Dinner was much better, though.
But the writing was excellent, especially the protagonist's descriptions of medical conditions, in very picturesque analogies. I liked that a lot.
Koch's The Dinner was much better, though.
challenging
dark
emotional
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
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A tense, killer book. Last 100 pages fly by in a good way. Very creepy, uncomfortable subject matter covered in this novel, so be warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Not at all what I was expecting – but in a good way. I’d won an “early review” copy via LibraryThing, but didn’t actually receive it from the publisher until after the book had been released. That in itself was no big deal (not complaining about the wait), but it gave me plenty of time to sneak peeks of online reviews in anticipation of receiving my copy (something I don’t like to do, but sometimes can’t help myself). Many of the reviews led me to believe that the book would be far too sinister and gory—and really too much of a horror-type thriller—which is not my taste. After actually reading the book for myself I’d categorize this as literary suspense or literary fiction. Sure some of the characters were sketchy, but it’s not a scary book that will keep you awake at night.
The synopsis of the book is a little misleading. It states that Marc is forced to conceal the “mistake,” that his reputation as a doctor depends on it, which is true, but really the meat of the book is a flashback of events leading up to the incident, and has little to do with the aftermath. Either scenario is fine, it just seems to make for a different story one way versus the other. I really enjoyed knowing what happened ahead of time and then tracing back the events leading up to it. The pacing was perfect and the characters were very real and interesting. Not sure what else it was that made this book a hit with me, but it was a good one. Will definitely read “The Dinner” now, which I wasn’t all that interested in before.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
The synopsis of the book is a little misleading. It states that Marc is forced to conceal the “mistake,” that his reputation as a doctor depends on it, which is true, but really the meat of the book is a flashback of events leading up to the incident, and has little to do with the aftermath. Either scenario is fine, it just seems to make for a different story one way versus the other. I really enjoyed knowing what happened ahead of time and then tracing back the events leading up to it. The pacing was perfect and the characters were very real and interesting. Not sure what else it was that made this book a hit with me, but it was a good one. Will definitely read “The Dinner” now, which I wasn’t all that interested in before.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
spannend maar alle personages zijn *{^]%]%{*}*#*}{%{^{€#*#*}^{%{% echt allemaal
I couldn't finish this book. It felt so dirty and the narrator was so unlikeable in the worst way possible. I tried, really really tried, but is just wasn't happening for me. I might try again another time.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I seriously don’t know how I feel about this book. In its tone and style it’s really similar to The Dinner and I had mixed feelings about that book too. This was a dark and uncomfortable read which I did enjoy at times. The chapters were relatively short and it was an easy book to get sucked into. I really liked how it was told - we know straight away that Ralph is dead and Marc is somehow involved in it. I loved following the families through their crazy summer and seeing the little moments add up to complete the big mystery of Ralph’s death. The characters were all really well written and very vivid which I both liked and disliked. The men were all toxic and annoying. The women were slightly better. This book is definitely character over plot which worked most of the time but left me wanting something more to happen, especially at the end. I was really enjoying it up to about the 60% mark - I had issues with the way women were treated, Marc’s attitude/actions and the ending left me disappointed. It also left me slightly confused? I can’t deny that this was an interesting, compelling and complex book which for the most part I liked.