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totallytales's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend! This novel entwines two stories; an adolescent and her struggles with depression and a mother who is concerned for her daughter. Is she too caring, or not protective enough? Is she paranoid, imagining things or is it a reality? The characters are so relatable you'll find yourself feeling all their emotions whilst desperately hoping everything turns out alright in the end.
sdbecque's review against another edition
2.0
Someone sold this to me as a thriller, and it was not a thriller. It starts as a mystery, and I thought it would be like [b:Emma in the Night|33574211|Emma in the Night|Wendy Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484434383s/33574211.jpg|54325849], but instead, it's a character study after a mysterious event occurs. I might have enjoyed it more if I wasn't expecting a thriller and more of a slow-paced character study, but I can't say for sure.
hardbackhoarder's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
This has the best and, in my opinion, the most accurate depiction of a family I've seen. I fell in love with their interactions and their time together. This isn't so much a thriller/mystery as it is a look into paranoia and how that affects families. After the youngest daughter goes missing, there are a lot of questions as to what happened, but the daughter refuses to answer. We look at a lot of ideas that the mother conjures and consider the daughter's actions to see what may have happened. I just adored their interactions and found myself laughing at their playfulness even in with dark subjects.
I will say, I thought I was going to give this book a 5 star despite being slower, but the ending was one of the most disappointing endings I've ever read. It was anti-climatic and, though it resolved the main questions, it wasn't satisfying.
This has the best and, in my opinion, the most accurate depiction of a family I've seen. I fell in love with their interactions and their time together. This isn't so much a thriller/mystery as it is a look into paranoia and how that affects families. After the youngest daughter goes missing, there are a lot of questions as to what happened, but the daughter refuses to answer. We look at a lot of ideas that the mother conjures and consider the daughter's actions to see what may have happened. I just adored their interactions and found myself laughing at their playfulness even in with dark subjects.
I will say, I thought I was going to give this book a 5 star despite being slower, but the ending was one of the most disappointing endings I've ever read. It was anti-climatic and, though it resolved the main questions, it wasn't satisfying.
thebobsphere's review
4.0
As a forewarning a lot of my Goodreads followers may not like Whistle in the Dark as it forms part of the trend called 'Up Literature' in fact there are similarities between this and Eleanor Oliphant i.e heavy issues but accessible to many.
HOWEVER when I review a book I take certain aspects into account and that is plot, characters and use of language and here it works on all levels:
My review:
https://thebobsphere.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/emma-healey-whistle-in-the-dark/
HOWEVER when I review a book I take certain aspects into account and that is plot, characters and use of language and here it works on all levels:
My review:
https://thebobsphere.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/emma-healey-whistle-in-the-dark/
lisabreads's review
2.0
Whistle in the Dark opens in the hospital where 14 year old Lana recovers after being missing for 4 days. Her mother and father have no idea where she has been or what happened but all the questions are answered “I don’t remember” by Lana. What follows is an emotional drama by her mother, Jen, who is hoping to find some answers and help her daughter, who has a history of mental illness. I wish I enjoyed this book more but I found the writing style out of my reach. It seemed to me to be a little all over the place and frantic with a lot of speculation about what happened and flashbacks without much connection to the current drama. I found that hard to get into and never developed a connection to the characters. That is more of a personal preference of style rather than a critique of the book as a whole but not all books can be perfect for all people! I was given access to this galley by Knopf Canada on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It is released on May 1, 2018
balancinghistorybooks's review
4.0
I really enjoyed Emma Healey's debut novel, Elizabeth is Missing, and was thus rather keen to begin her second, Whistle in the Dark. What I found within its pages was an intriguing mystery, a cast of multilayered characters, and a very tight and controlled plot. Healey explores a fascinating family dynamic, which is threatened by various factors - namely the disappearance of teenage daughter Lana, which is the focus of the plot. I enjoyed the way in which Healey builds the novel, with longer chapters and smaller fragments, all of which reveal something. Whistle in the Dark is so well pieced together, and I found it incredibly absorbing; it kept me up reading when I really should have been sleeping. I can't wait to see what Healey comes up with next.
serendipitysbooks's review
3.0
This story primarily focuses on the relationship between Jen and her fifteen year old daughter in the aftermath of Lana's unexplained four day disappearance in the British countryside. This relationship has been strained for a time, exacerbated by Lana's depression and self-harm and Jen's subsequent worries. Jen is desperate to know exactly what happened to Lana, but she can't or won't tell. Meanwhile Jen fears the worst, struggles to know what to do and falls into the understandable trap of constantly questioning and supervising Lana, who naturally withdraws more. While I sympathised with the plight of these two I didnt especially like either of them, relating more to laidback Hugh. I also struggled with the end of the novel as Jen decided to explore a cave system by herself and without telling anyone where she was. Of course it ended well and she found the answers she was looking for about Lana but it just seemed such a stupid decision to make.
justacatandabook's review
3.0
Jen Maddox is on holiday with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Lana, when Lana disappears. But, somehow, Lana is found four days later: confused and bloody, but in one piece. Jen and her husband, Hugh, are beyond relieved, but Jen cannot shake the fear plaguing her. Lana has struggled with depression these past few years. What happened over those four days? Why can't her daughter remember anything? Jen knows she should welcome Lana back with welcome arms, but she cannot rest until she knows what happened to her daughter.
This was a complicated read, which made me feel and think all sorts of feelings. I have to definitely point out that there are triggers for self-harm and suicide in this one. The book hit home for me, as I lost a dear cousin-who was more like a sister to me-to suicide. She was a little older than Lana when she died, but I saw a lot of similarity between the two, and I could understand some of Jen's frustration and sadness with her daughter because of it. Because, honestly, a lot of this book is just sad and depressing.
It's written in short snippets, not long chapters, each with a title, and they are all told from Jen's perspective. I would have liked to have heard from Lana sometimes. Because this is Emma Healey, many of these little pieces and insights are brilliant, truly. But, also, I won't lie, some of this book is a slog. It mirrors living with someone with depression--it's slow, painful, and tough. I wouldn't call this a fun read, even though I could definitely enjoy some of the breakthroughs and beautiful moments Lana and Jen did share.
While the premise of this book is finding out what happened to Lana, much of it is just Jen and Lana's daily life--trying to find themselves after Lana's disappearance. You see the guilt Jen feels about her daughter's mental illness and the complications of motherhood--how hard it can be. Jen's older daughter Meg and her husband, Hugh, are more supporting characters to the Jen and Lana show. There definitely are some humorous pieces among the sad parts--Jen and her husband struggling to raise a teen, Jen's interactions with her mom stand out. And Lana, as she comes across through her mom's eyes, is an interesting and dynamic character. Her grim sense of humor is enjoyable, too.
I found this novel to be very driven by emotions and to be a deep look at a family who is torn apart not only by Lana's disappearance, but by mental illness. I think, too, overall it does a very good job portraying what mental illness can do to a family. Even Lana's descriptions of what her depression feels like are quite well-done. So much of the book actually made me feel tense on Jen's behalf, and you just can't help but feel so sad and scared for both Jen and Lana. The little snippets of the book really do a good job of capturing moments--that is life, after all. A series of moments that add up.
I wish that Jen had been less obsessed with figuring out what had happened to Lana, but I think I can understand where it came from (her fear). For a little bit, I wasn't sure I could push through the book, but I was also motivated to figure out where Lana had been for those four days, and I was attached to Lana (and even Jen), I won't lie. The end of the book also redeemed it for me. There was something about it that made it all work.
This book isn't for everyone, and in some ways, I even have trouble recommending it for those who have struggled with mental illness, because it can be really triggering. Still, I think the author treated the topic very respectfully. I couldn't help but feel for Jen and I really found myself wanting to help Lana, to reach out to her. Healey really does know how to create nuanced characters. Still, if this is your first time reading her, I can't help but recommend the amazing [b:Elizabeth Is Missing|18635113|Elizabeth Is Missing|Emma Healey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388883559s/18635113.jpg|24946905], which I just adore. Still, 3.5 stars for this one, which has its lovely moments and is certainly well-written, if not a slow read.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
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This was a complicated read, which made me feel and think all sorts of feelings. I have to definitely point out that there are triggers for self-harm and suicide in this one. The book hit home for me, as I lost a dear cousin-who was more like a sister to me-to suicide. She was a little older than Lana when she died, but I saw a lot of similarity between the two, and I could understand some of Jen's frustration and sadness with her daughter because of it. Because, honestly, a lot of this book is just sad and depressing.
It's written in short snippets, not long chapters, each with a title, and they are all told from Jen's perspective. I would have liked to have heard from Lana sometimes. Because this is Emma Healey, many of these little pieces and insights are brilliant, truly. But, also, I won't lie, some of this book is a slog. It mirrors living with someone with depression--it's slow, painful, and tough. I wouldn't call this a fun read, even though I could definitely enjoy some of the breakthroughs and beautiful moments Lana and Jen did share.
While the premise of this book is finding out what happened to Lana, much of it is just Jen and Lana's daily life--trying to find themselves after Lana's disappearance. You see the guilt Jen feels about her daughter's mental illness and the complications of motherhood--how hard it can be. Jen's older daughter Meg and her husband, Hugh, are more supporting characters to the Jen and Lana show. There definitely are some humorous pieces among the sad parts--Jen and her husband struggling to raise a teen, Jen's interactions with her mom stand out. And Lana, as she comes across through her mom's eyes, is an interesting and dynamic character. Her grim sense of humor is enjoyable, too.
I found this novel to be very driven by emotions and to be a deep look at a family who is torn apart not only by Lana's disappearance, but by mental illness. I think, too, overall it does a very good job portraying what mental illness can do to a family. Even Lana's descriptions of what her depression feels like are quite well-done. So much of the book actually made me feel tense on Jen's behalf, and you just can't help but feel so sad and scared for both Jen and Lana. The little snippets of the book really do a good job of capturing moments--that is life, after all. A series of moments that add up.
I wish that Jen had been less obsessed with figuring out what had happened to Lana, but I think I can understand where it came from (her fear). For a little bit, I wasn't sure I could push through the book, but I was also motivated to figure out where Lana had been for those four days, and I was attached to Lana (and even Jen), I won't lie. The end of the book also redeemed it for me. There was something about it that made it all work.
This book isn't for everyone, and in some ways, I even have trouble recommending it for those who have struggled with mental illness, because it can be really triggering. Still, I think the author treated the topic very respectfully. I couldn't help but feel for Jen and I really found myself wanting to help Lana, to reach out to her. Healey really does know how to create nuanced characters. Still, if this is your first time reading her, I can't help but recommend the amazing [b:Elizabeth Is Missing|18635113|Elizabeth Is Missing|Emma Healey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388883559s/18635113.jpg|24946905], which I just adore. Still, 3.5 stars for this one, which has its lovely moments and is certainly well-written, if not a slow read.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).