Reviews - The Orphanage By The Lake

677 reviews for:

The Orphanage By The Lake

Daniel G. Miller

3.6 AVERAGE

stephalirt's review

3.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

cutmesomezach's review

4.25

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ahbmacgregor's review against another edition

2.0

dark mysterious tense

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book really didn't land with me. The tone was inconsistent and the protagonist was frustrating in how she treated others. It's hard to root for Hazel when she's doing things like treating a roommate like he's worthless or picking fights for little reason.

It also really could've done with a sensitivity reader. While I can't speak to the Korean cultural aspects mentioned in the book, the way the author writes about

While it's not quite "she breasted boobily to the stairs" level, I was frustrated by the fact that Hazel's weight and whether she should or shouldn't eat something was mentioned constantly, the way every dress had to "smooth her lumps," and, of course,

the fact that rape was treated as backstory, potential rape as a plot point, and that CSA was also heavily implied.

The most I can say is that it was engaging at times. Not a book I'm going to read again, nor would I recommend it.

Content Warnings